Research consultancy

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the methodology which consists of the research design, area of study, study population, sample population and selection, sampling technique, data collection method, data quality control, data collection procedures and limitations of the study.

3.1 Research design

Across sectional research design will be used with a blend of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative approach: this approach gathers information based on an in depth understanding of human behavior and the resources that govern the behavior depending on thewhy and how. This is used because it deals with smaller population and it puts emphasis on uncovering more about people’s experiences.

Quantitative approach: this is the approach that deals with numerical expression in figures in terms of quantity which involves measurement of quantity and amounts.

However quantitative approach will be used because of the following reasons; this approach eliminates behavioral biases were by the behavioral beliefs are done away with, the approach leads to accuracy were by results are not guessed, operational risks are reduced. This approach will be used in away of getting actual figures and taking on calculations then getting answers.

3.2 Population and area of the study

The study will include the organizational workers from different departments who will include; procurement department, accounting department, Marketing department and administration. The study will be carried out at UGACOF located at plot No 236 kireku zone Bweyogere, kampala Uganda

3.3 Sampling design

3.3.1 Sample size and number of respondents

The study will target UGACOFF employees including; the administrators, procurement staffs, accounting officers and marketers.

  Table: 3.1 showing Sample size of the respondents

Source: Primary data

3.3.2 Sampling Techniques

According to (Amin, 2005) sampling involves selecting a sample of the population in such a way that samples of the same size have equal chances of being selected.

The respondents will be selected using purposive sampling techniques. Berg (2006) purposive sampling, the researcher chooses the sample based on where they think would be appropriate for the study. A Purposive sampling technique will be used because it’s cheap.

The study will also use stratified random sampling technique, according to Amin, (2005) this is were the researcher divides the population into separate groups called strata and all the respondents are given equal chances of being chosen.

This will be used for selecting respondents in marketing department; the researcher will use the above technique since the marketing department has a large population.

3.4 Data Collection methods and instruments

The methods and instruments of data collection will be;

3.4.1 Questionnaires

The questionnaires will be used to collect quantitative data. The researcher will administer the questionnaires to respondents in different departments including, procurement, administration, accounting and secretaries, which will be designed basing on study objectives and questions. Respondents will read and write the questionnaires themselves. The questionnaires will be close ended and will be considered convenient because they will be administered to the literate and its anonymous nature will fetch unhindered responses.

3.4.2 Interviews

Qualitative data will be collected from the informants using interviews. The interview guide will be structured. The interviews will be held with administration and procurement staffs, and will take approximately thirty to sixty minutes. This will be used since it’s the best tool for getting first-hand information /views, perceptions, feelings and attitudes of respondents. Both formal and informal interviews will be used to get maximum information from the different respondents to participate in the research.

3.5 DATA SOURCES

Source of data will be from both primary and secondary sources.

• Primary data

Primary data will be obtained from the questionnaires administered on the target respondents to gain opinions and practices on impacts of quality management and procurement effectiveness at UGACOFF.

• Secondary sources

Secondary data is data which has been collected by individuals or agencies for purposes other than those of a particular research study. It is data developed for some purpose other than for helping to solve the research problem at hand (Bell, 1997). This will comprise of literature related to impacts of quality management and procurement effectiveness in relation to the case study. Secondary data will be sourced because it yields more accurate information than obtained through primary data, and it is also cheaper

3.6 Data quality, validity and reliability

  3.6.1 Data quality

The instrument will be taken to the supervisor to check its correctness there after pretesting study will be carried out to find out if it measures what it is meant to for.

3.6.2 Validity

According to Amin (2005), face, content and construct tests can be done to determine the validity of the instrument. In this study, content and face validity of the questionnaires will be ensured by pre-testing the instrument and consultation with the supervisor; and by use of professionals/experts who will be given the instrument to assess the concept and rate it by trying to measure and determine whether the set items accurately represents the concept under study.

3.6.3   Reliability

Reliability of an instrument is the consistency of an instrument in measuring what it is intended to measure (Amin, 2005). In order to ensure that the instrument is capable of supplying consistent results, its reliability will be checked using the internal consistency method. This will determine the internal correlation between scores on items within the instrument by pretesting them on a sample of 10 respondents after which some of the questions in the questionnaire will be rephrased and others removed while putting new ones.

3.7  Procedures of data collection

Upon receiving the letter of introduction from Research Coordinator School of Management and Entrepreneurship to carry out research, the area of study will be visited for the purpose of familiarization.

The researcher will seek permission with staff and when allowed, to proceed with research, questionnaires will be issued and interviews carried out with the selected staff. Documentary evidence from both primary and secondary sources of data will be considered; taking into account of what is reported on quality management and procurement effectiveness.

• Data analysis and presentation

Quantitative analysis of raw data will be done. Raw data will take a variety of forms, including measurements, survey responses, and observations. Tabular and percentage calculations will be used to list questionnaire responses. Analysis and interpretation of the raw data will be based on the responses and opinions. Qualitative and Quantitative data analysis techniques will be used to manipulate data during the analysis phase to draw conclusions. The method will be ideal in providing the theoretical framework which will be central in the construction of the study.

3.9 Anticipated limitation

Respondents may delay in filling the questionnaire and some may fear to give information, but they will be persuaded that the information will be kept secret.

The researcher may not get enough time to interview all the respondents but this will not affect the study since the researcher will budget for the time appropriately.