CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1. Introduction

This chapter highlights the research design, area of study, population and sampling, instrumentation, data collection procedure, data analysis and ethical consideration.

3.2. Research design

This study used descriptive cross-sectional survey design to capture specific data on knowledge and attitudes of Irish potato farmers towards inorganic fertilizer use and socio-economic factors influencing the use of inorganic fertilizer. The data was collected from June to August 2016. It was conducted in two phases: first through a reconnaissance visit to the  to collect qualitative information on status of Irish potato growing, inorganic fertilizer use and supply services. Secondly, the questionnaire was used to collect quantitative information through a questionnaire survey.

3.3. Area of the Study

The study was conducted in Kabale District. Kabale District is a highland. The covers 1,827 square kilometres (705 sq mi). The topography is mainly green, interlocking with heavily cultivated hills and spectacular valleys. The altitude of the  ranges between 1,219 metres (3,999 ft) to 2,347 metres (7,700 ft) above sea level. This altitude makes it colder than the rest of the country. Temperatures average about 18 °C (64 °F) during the day and fall to about 10 °C (50 °F) at night. The relative humidity is between 90% and 100% in the morning and decreases to between 42% and 75% in the afternoon, all the year around. These conditions are favourable for the production of Irish potato as some farmers in Hamurwa and Muko sub-counties grow Irish potatoes four seasons a year. The report of UBOS (2011), shows that Butanda sub-county occupies the first position in the production of Irish potatoes with 61.9% of the households which produce Irish potatoes. Hamurwa sub-county occupies the second position with 61.3% of the households producing Irish potatoes, Ikumba sub-county occupies the third position with 57.2% and Muko sub-county occupies fourth position with 51.4%.The  population was estimated at about 498,300. Kabale District is densely populated. The area has been selected for the study due to the fact that the place is of high potential and often referred to as one of the Uganda’s Irish potato basket.

Table 3.1: Percentage distribution of households that grow Irish potatoes by Sub County in Kabale District

3.4. Study population

The study population was comprised all households which grow Irish potato in Hamurwa and MukoSub-counties.  The Community Information System summary results (2009) showed that the households of Muko sub-county were 7,683 and Hamurwa sub-county had 4,257 households, (see Table 3.1). Also, the same source shows that in the two selected sub-counties, the households which grow Irish potato represent 51.4% in Muko Sub-county equivalent to 3,949 households and 61.3% in Hamurwa sub-county equivalent to 2,610 households. Therefore, the study population comprised 6,559 households growing Irish potato in Muko and Hamurwa sub-counties in Kabale District. However, the researcher also included in the study key informants such as the inorganic fertilizer suppliers, agricultural extension workers and the District Agricultural Officer were selected because they had relevant information about Irish potato production in relation to inorganic fertilizer use in the District.

3.5. Sampling size and sampling techniques

The research used a sample size of 363 household heads or one of their members growing Irish potato determined by the following formula for determining the sample size (Krejcie& Morgan, 1970).

S=X²NP(1-P)÷d²(N-1)+X²P(1-P)

S= required sample size.

X²= the table value of chi-square for 1 degree of freedom at the desired confidence level (95%) = (3.841).

N = the population size.

P = the population proportion (assumed to be 0.50 since this would provide the maximum sample size).

d = the degree of accuracy expressed as a proportion (0.05).

Therefore, the application of the formula is as follows:

S=3.841 x 6,682 x 0.50 (1-0.50) ÷ (0.05)² (6,682 -1) + 3.841 x 0.50 (1 – 0.50)

S = 6416.3905 ÷17.66275

S = 363

In addition, the researcher included in the study 4 inorganic fertilizer suppliers, 2 agricultural extension workers and 1 District agricultural officer.  Therefore, a total of 370 people participated in the study.

3.6. Instrumentation

3.6.1 Questionnaire

The researcher first prepared questionnaire and interview guide for respondents. They were approved by the supervisor and then after a pilot test was done to establish the validity and reliability of the study. The study employed the questionnaire to collect quantitative data from Irish potato farmers. The research developed close-ended questions using “yes” and “no” questions and Likert scaling. The questionnaire was composed of five sections. The   first section was on the extent of use of inorganic fertilizer by farmers in Irish potato production, the second section was about farmers’ knowledge on the use of inorganic fertilizer in Irish potato production, the third section was about the farmers’ attitudes towards inorganic fertilizer use in Irish potato production and the fourth section was about socio-economic factors influencing the use of inorganic fertilizer in Irish potato production in Kabale District  and fifth section described the demographic characteristics of respondents.

3.6.2 Interview guide

The interviews were used to collect information from Irish potato farmers. Also, interviews were addressed to key informants. These were suppliers of inorganic fertilizers, agricultural extension workers, and the District agricultural officer. This helped to get in-depth information on knowledge and attitude of farmers towards inorganic fertilizer use and other socio-economic factors influencing the use of inorganic fertilizers in Irish potato production in Kabale District .  The key informants were approached because they are in position of much knowledge of inorganic fertilizer use in Irish potato production in Kabale District.

3.6.3. Observation guide

Observation is a method of data collection which involves observing something without changing it or any variables involved (Price, 2006). Under this method, using an observation guide, the researcher used senses of seeing of what was on ground using a non-verbal approach. The researcher used an observation checklist of items to assess farmer’s knowledge of and attitudes towards the use of inorganic fertilizer for Irish potato production in Kabale District , Uganda.

3.7 Validity and reliability of research instruments

3.7.1 Validity of research instruments

Validity refers to how well a test measures what it is purported to measure (Amin, 2005). A validity test was carried out prior to the administration of the research instruments. This was done in order to find out whether the questions are capable of capturing the intended data (Amin, 2005). Research Supervisors reviewed the questions to see whether they are capable of capturing the intended response. A Content Validity Index (CVI) was calculated in order to establish the validity of the research instrument and the researcher used the following formula to establish validity of the research instruments as seen below.

Content Validity Index (CVI) = Relevant items by all judges as suitable

Total number of items judged

CVI=0.9

CVI was 0.9 which was greater than 0.7 as recommended by Amin, (2005). Then, the questionnaire was considered valid for data collection.

3.7.2    Reliability of research instruments

Reliability is the degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results (Mugenda&Mugenda, 1999). Also, reliability was ensured through pre-testing the questionnaires on different categories of the study population and checked if their responses answer and the attributes designed to be measured by the different objectives and if the responses gathered gave relevant answers to the study objectives. Cronbanch’s Alpha Coefficient was used to assess the internal consistency and a minimum of alpha 0.7 was taken as acceptable measure for it (Amin, 2005). George and Mallery (2003) provide the following rule of thumb in judging the reliability of a test: “> .90: Excellent, > .80: Good, > .70: Acceptable, > .60: questionable, > .50: poor, and < .50: Unacceptable”.

The alpha value generated was interpreted as a good measure according to the rule provided by George and Mallery (2003).

3.8. Data collection procedure

Then the researcher got an introductory letter from Kyambogo University and one from National Council of Science and Technology to introduce him to the authority of Kabale District who was in turn introduced him to the authorities of Hamurwa and Muko sub-counties. The researcher contacted sub-county chiefs in Hamurwa and Muko sub-counties and explained to them the purpose of this study and sought for the necessary assistance. The famers who responded to the research questionnaires came from households which grow Irish potatoes. Therefore, the researcher targeted one individual who was involved in Irish potato production from each household. The researcher introduced himself to the respondents, had meetings with them and also explained the purpose of the study in order to build mutual relationship with them. He made some visits to Irish potato farmers he gave questionnaires. The researcher asked permission from the respondents to go ahead and get information from them. After getting information from questionnaires, interviews, and observations, the data was properly recorded and stored. The questionnaires were administered to farmers who were literate and they were filled by themselves. In case of farmers who were illiterate, the researcher proceeded by the self-administration of the questionnaire. The interview took between 30 minutes to an hour in order to reach the necessary information. The data was collected from June to August.

3.9. Data analysis

Data from the questionnaires were coded and entered into software for analysis. The researcher reviewed all the interviews and the questionnaires to make sure that he had the necessary information. Quantitative data was analysed for descriptive statistics like frequencies and percentages and inferential statistics like correlation analysis whereby Pearson coefficient was calculated using the SPSS computer software version 16.0. This program was used since it was one of the most common programs in social sciences research and I was already familiar with the tools and commands needed.

TABLE: 3.2 Showing Statistical tests.

3.10. Ethical consideration

In order to maintain confidentiality and anonymity of interviewees the names of the participants were not disclosed. To assure confidentiality of official documents obtained for this study was by not disclosing names of people. Once permission to start the research was granted, the researcher began by scheduling questionnaires and interviews sessions and observations among respondents. At the beginning of each interview, the researcher explained the purpose of the study, asked for consent to conduct the interview and explained their rights as participants to partake in the interview. Considering that the subjects of the research who were the main source of information were important, therefore, ethical issues were observed during field work.