CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter deal with the research design, the description of street children, the sample

and sampling procedures, data collection procedures, data quality control measurements

and finally data analysis procedures.

3.1 Research Design

This study will adopt the survey method to gather data. The survey research had the right

attributes that allowed for guiding, systematic and objective collection of the needed data

statistics; hence, the choice of the survey research method. As suggested by Terre-Blanche

and Durrheim (1999). The research design is a planned background for achievement that

serves as a tie between research questions and the implementation of research. The

research will be in a preferred methodological approach that can significantly influence

methods in which data is collected, analyzed, and interpreted. Although each methodology

varies, be it, quantitative and qualitative, it is critical to assess the strengths and weakness

of each design (Terre-Blanche and Durrheim, 1999). In reaching the objectives of this

research study on the psychological well-being of street children, the study will use a

purely quantitative approach in line with the aims and objectives of the study. The specific

used will be a cross-sectional design, whereby the study collected data as a specific point

in time (Diclemente and Salazar, 2006). Across-sectional design typically comprises of

data used to identify patterns of association in the groups as whole or sharing

characteristics or attributes (Sumekh and Lewin, 2005). Across-sectional design will be

deemed appropriate for this study, as participants had different backgrounds and reasons

for on the streets.

32 participants
The research participants in the study will be street children living on the streets of

Kampala district, Busoga sub-region (Central Uganda). The study will be used as a non-

probability convenience sampling technique due to easier access the street children

population within the Ignnga district area.

Broadly defines sampling as a procedure that comprises choices about which people,

settings, circumstances and social processes to note. The non-probability convenience

sampling of street children within Kampala district, Central Uganda (Busoga

allow researcher

to choose participants which are available from the population at a point in time (Haer and

Becher, 2012). This sampling method will be useful, as the most convenient way of

collecting data was unknown. This sampling type method will also justify because

participants will be interviewed based on their availability and accessibility. A total of 20

street children will be interviewed within Kampala district area. The sample size of 20 will

viewed to adequate due to the difficulty in accessing this transient population.

3.3 Research Instrument/ Measures

Data collection will be done in the form of an interviewer-administered questionnaire as

the literacy levels of homeless youths may vary greatly, making it difficult for them to

complete it themselves. Three research assistants and principal researcher will be primarily

responsible for the cla„tl collection process and procedure. The questionnaire will consist

of socio-demographic questions, and other measures that assessed psychological

functioning of youths and health risk behaviors.

3.4 Data Collection and Procedure

Permission to undertake the study will be sought from Kampala child rights community,

an NGO that provides multifaceted interventions for children on the streets in Kampala

district, and Kampala International University, Humanities and Social Sciences.

The NGO acted as gatekeepers because these youths will be vested on their well-being,

rights and welfare in their care (Blanche, Durrheim and Painter, 2006). Once access will

be granted, one of the officials from the organization contacted the researcher to facilitate

the data collection process. With this primary relationship established, the data collection

process will be more effective and efficient with less confusion from all participants

involved. Each participant on the street will be informed about the focus of the study, after

which they asked if they will be willing to participate. Voluntary participation will be

emphasized and the participants will be informed that they could freely withdraw from the

study at any time. Verbal consent will be obtained from those who agreed to participate in

the study. Those who participatecl will be interviewed to complete the questionnaires

pertaining to the biological data sheet. The participants that will be available within the

organization and within the streets during the early hours of the morning will be selected

and interviewed.

3.5 Ethnical Considerations

This study —approved by the Head of the Depaltment of Applied psychological, Kampala

International University. In addition, the Kampala Child Rights Community Street

Children Organization will be approached for consent as they serve as legal guardians of

children living on the streets. All participants will be informed about the purpose of the

study and the duration.

Participants will be informed that allowed to discontinue with participation in the study if

they so with, Participants will be encouraged to ask questions concerning the study if they

had any objections.

3.6 Data Analysis

Descriptive statistics ill analyze and describe the nature of the data collected, as well as to

determine the levels of psychological functioning and health risks. In addition, data will be

used by the use of questionnaire; it will be entered into a computer, edited and coded to

minimize errors. Then it will be grouped into tables, analyzed, interpreted, discussed and

conclusions will be made.

3.7 Validity

After constructing questionnaire, the researcher will contact expertise in this area to go

through it to ensure that instrument is clear, relevant, specific and logically arranged.

3.8 Reliability

The research assistants sed for content analysis for the researcher. To calculate this kind

of reliability, the researcher reported the percentage of agreement on the same subject

between his raters and that of the assistants. However, half of the test, instrument, or a

survey, were used to analyze half as if it be the whole thing. The test-retest reliability of

individual items will be determined using intra-class correlation coefficient.

3.9 Data Quality Control

The information obtained through questionnaires will be cross-checked by observing

whether the behavior patterns match with what the respondents filled in the questionnaires.
3.10 Limitations of the Study

Whole research on information from the selected population and sub-mission of

questionnaires to different respondents in Kampala district at large. However, this will

deal with through use of my family members in Kampala district to submit different

questions to respondents especially those in distant places.

Question avoidance arose in the answers for fear of some respondents to speak the truth

and others regard of their information as being confidential especially homeless youths

and street children. This will overcome through use of community leaders and introduction

of researcher's identification as a student to make respondents understand that this research

will not business minded but for education purposes.

Poor infrastructures limited data collection especially in some areas, however, this will

overcome through use of all means for instance foot, bicycle.