Research consultancy
The section describes the key processes the study followed to understand; to examine the relationship between contractors’ financial capability and Project Performance, to assess the relationship between contractors’ technical ability and Project Performance among and to Investigate the relationship between contractors’ managerial capability and Project Performance among. The chapter focused on design of the study, study area, study population, sampling techniques, and sample size, data collection methods, data quality assurance, data analysis and processing, ethical considerations and expected limitations of the study.
A descriptive case design was adopted for the proposed. According to Kothari (2014), a descriptive design enables a researcher to describe the characteristics of the various under investigation, in this case the study described how managerial capacities, technical and financial capacities of the contractors affects the project performance in Mbarara district Local government.
The cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach also was used for this study. This helped to examine the relationships between contract selection criteria and performance of projects in UPE schools in Mbarara district.
Since the inception of the FY 2016/17-to date, Mbarara district Local Government has rolled out a total of 36 construction projects in the UPE schools in the district. This study targeted all the 36 Construction projects in these schools to examine the issue of contractor selection against their performance (Mbarara District Statistical Abstract, 2022). The 36 construction projects were selected because they were the only projects which was in the process of execution in mbarara district local government. The unit of analysis/ target population included the project managers of these projects, the District Executive committees, the School Management Committees and the School administration in Mbarara district.
The study was done in all the 36 construction projects in the UPE schools in Mbarara district
Brian van, (2010), points out that sampling is a process of selecting essentials from the construction projects under the UPE programme in Mbarara district such that the sampled elements represent the population under the study. This research study used simple random sampling techniques to select the respondents who participated in gathering information and data. In selecting specific groups like the senior management, the researcher used purposive sampling. Purposive sampling is a non-probability sampling technique used in research to select specific individuals or groups from a population that possess certain characteristics or meet particular criteria. Unlike random sampling, where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, purposive sampling involves deliberately choosing participants who can provide valuable insights or represent the desired attributes or traits being studied (Amin, 2005).
3.4.1 Simple random sampling technique
The study thus employed this type of sampling strategy while selecting the construction projects in the UPE schools in Mbarara district. As a consequence, simple random sampling techniques was applied during the choice of the respondents. A list of contractors was obtained from the District Engineering department and they was assigned numbers, and later the researcher will pick a number and include on the sample. This process went on until the entire last contractor on the list. This was intended to give equal chance for every contractor listed by the district to participate in the study and give us their response on the project management at the district.
3.5 Data Collection techniques
Questionnaire is one of the instruments for primary data collection. The questionnaire was designed to collect information or data using closed ended and open-ended questionnaire. Amin Amin (2005) describes a questionnaire as a self-report instrument used for gathering information about the variables of interest under investigation. The researcher prepared a set of interrelated questions about the subject based on the objectives of the study.
3.6. Data Processing and Analysis
Data was organized, inspected, edited, and word processed to eliminate errors and ensure the accuracy of the data obtained to avoid misinterpretation. The data was further reduced into frequencies and percentages as units of measurement using SPSS version 21. Data entry was necessitated data modification, with responses assessed for completeness, consistency, and accuracy. Only a few examples was removed if they are found to be significantly incomplete. All scale items that are negatively phrased was also be reverse coded. Items that are not intentionally or inadvertently ticked was checked for missing values and eliminated. Following the investigation of missing values, i was retained only the units of inquiry, which was aggregated into five sets. Following that I generated descriptive and inferential statistics (correlations). Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on the variables to characterize them. SPSS version 21 was used. A correlation analysis was performed to investigate the nature of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables and to test the study’s hypothesis. I was able to determine whether the trend is positive or negative (Ragin, 2011).
This is defined as how accurately the account represents participants’ realities of social phenomena and credibility (Schwandt, 1997). In this study, the researcher ensureed validity by using a tape recorder as a documentation tool where the voices of the study participants was recorded, transcribe, analyze and interpreted to reflect the perceptions, feelings, opinions, experiences, and understanding of the subject under investigation. Besides, I also triangulated both interviews and observation data to ensure trustworthiness of the information generated from the research participants. Content validity index (C.V.I) will be used to establish whether the questionnaire was measure what it is to measure entailing scoring of relevant items. Quantitative data: Validity was be determined using Content Validity Index (C.V.I). C.V.I = Items rated relevant by both judges divided by the total number of items in the questionnaire as shown below. According to Amin (2005) a questionnaire that scores above 50% is considered valid.
The rating was measured, as relevant or not relevant and was calculated using the formula below and any figure above 0.7 will be regarded valid;
Content Validity Index(CVI) = Number of items related as relevant
Total number of items in the questionnaire
To examine the relationship between contractors’ financial capability and Project Performance among UPE Schools in Mbarara District.
To examine the relationship between contractors’ technical ability and Project Performance among UPE Schools in Mbarara District.
To examine the relationship between contractors’ managerial capability and Project Performance among UPE Schools in Mbarara District.
Table 3.2: CVI indices and Interpretation
| Question/objective | Relevant items | Not relevant | Level of CVI | Interpretation |
| contractors’ financial capability | 06 | 06 | 1 | Good |
| contractors’ technical ability | 07 | 06 | 0.857 | Appropriate |
| contractors’ managerial capability | 07 | 06 | 0.857 | Good |
| Construction project performance | 06 | 05 | 0.833 | Good |
Source: (Shi, J. 2012) and Researcher (2023)
3.7.2 Reliability
This is the degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results (Colin, 2006). To ensure reliability, I was constantly keep checking the tape recorder as a data collection instrument. The recording systems must be in perfect and good working condition throughout the interview process. Therefore, the findings from this study can even be replicated elsewhere and the researchers was still produce similar and reliable results if the methodology is adhered to. The reliability of the instruments was established by using a computer programmes SPSS (version 7.0) to compute Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient values for the variable items. Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient test for reliability (Cronbach, 1946) was conducted as recommended by Amin (2005) at 95% confidence interval and 5% level of significance. The accepted level of alpha should be above 0.5 based on Cronbach’s Alpha (Amin, 2005).
3.3: Reliability indices and interpretation
| No of items | Rated items | Alpha figure | Internal consistency |
| 06 | 06 | 1 | Acceptable |
| 07 | 06 | 0.857 | Acceptable |
| 07 | 06 | 0.857 | Excellent |
| 06 | 05 | 0.833 | Acceptable |
Source (Albrecht, 1981) and Researcher (2023)
To ensure that the data collection exercise meets the required ethical standards to conduct academic research, I first obtained an introductory letter from the Kyambogo University, School of Postgraduate studies, to introduce me to the district Leadership of Mbarara Local government which in return serve me with permission letter to collect data in the selected the secondary schools in the district. I also explained the nature and purposes of the study to the respondents and inform them about the benefits of the study to their area.
I assured them that whatever information they provided, would be treated with utmost confidentiality and that it would be used exclusively for purposes of the study.
Lastly, assured the respondents that their identities would remain anonymous, and that if they so wish, they had to access to the final study report copies. I also complied with the ministry of health standard operating procedures of preventing Covid-19. This was done by ensuring that the i and the respondents are well protected and put on masks and sanitize during the interview/data collection process. I also ensured that there is enough social distancing during the interaction with the research respondents.
