Research consultancy

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter presents a detailed description of the methodology that will be employed in the study. It will focus on the adopted research design, the population, sampling strategies, data collection methods, research procedure, ethical considerations, validity and reliability of research instruments, and methods of data collection.

3.1 Research Design

The research adopted descriptive cross sectional survey design. According to Amin (2005), this is one of the most commonly used research method used to gather data from a sample population at a particular time. Opedun (2013) says that this design helps to define better and understand respondents’ opinions and attitudes when gathering information from a sample population at a particular time. The researcher used the sample survey design because it is also less expensive way of gathering data from the large number of respondents who were involved in this study. In this study, both quantitative and qualitative techniques were employed in data collection process, analysis, presentation and discussion of findings. Quantitative method were used in order to establish the extent and rate of the problem while qualitative shall fill the gaps that will be left by quantitative data.

3.2 Study Population

Population refers to an entire group of individuals, events, or objects having a common observable characteristic as Mugenda and Mugenda (2003) posit. The population of the study will comprise of clients, executive committee members, and heads of department, team leaders and loans officers

3.3 Area of the study

The study the research study used carried out in Nakawa Division , Kampala District. The area will be chosen because of its proximity to the researcher and accessibility of the SAACOs within the study area. The study was conducted within the proposed budgetary planned time frame.

focused particularly on development staff, executive committee members, heads of department, loans officers

3.4 Sampling procedure

The study basically focus on top and middle level management members because they are the custodian of the contributions of SAACOs on financial accessibility on   households.

Accordingly, all departmental heads were targeted as respondents however; greater importance will be laid on capturing members of executive committee, loans offices and other related offices.

The researcher therefore used purposive sampling techniques in selecting interviewees with a choice of replacing those who may not wish to react to the Researcher’s request.

Purposive sampling is where the Researcher deliberately decides who to include in the sample. It was used simply because the study targeted basically custodians of the SAACOs. It also ensured that only people with applicable information will be sampled.

3.4 .1 Sample Size and composition

A sample size is the portion representing the population and selection involves the process of choosing the elements from the population Amin, (2005). Given that the study population is large, a sample size were selected from the population and used to represent the views of the entire population.

Table 3.4.1 showing composition of the samples size

3.4.2 Composition

The respondents comprised of males and females

An aggregate of 30 respondents were selected and considered appropriate for research purposes

3.5 source of data

Both primary and secondary data collection methods will be used

3.5.1 Primary data

Primary data was gathered basically through structured questionnaires and interviews with key informant members.

3.5.2 Secondary data

Secondary data on the other hand will be gathered through review of available SACCO records like Audited Financial Statements, SACCO ledgers, journals, Minutes of top committee members and other. SACCO publications

3.6 Data collection methods

The section presents data collection methods which include questionnaire and interview.

3.6.1 Questionnaire

The questionnaire was the main instrument to be used in the study .The questionnaire will consist of structured or close – ended questions .They were administered in loans departments. This method is appropriate because it saves time and money and respondents are given chance to answer questions at their convenient time.

3.6.2 Interview

In personal interviews, there is a face- to- face contact between interviewer and interviewee. This can take place at door to door interviewing, executive interviewing’s. Amin (2005. In this study, the researcher will conduct interviews with the accounting staff. Silverstein, (2003) maintains that case study design accompanied by interviews help a researcher to get information from insiders’ views.

3.7 Data collection procedure

The researcher obtained an introductory letter from the Head of Department, as an authorization to seek permission from the Nkumba University. Once the management approves, the researcher will continue to collect the necessary and relevant data. This is purposely to build confidence among the respondents.

3.8 Data quality control of instruments

The data collection tools was pre-tested on a smaller number of respondents from each category of the population to ensure that the questions are accurate both reliability and validity will be carried out.

3.8.1 Reliability of data

To obtain data free from errors introduced by those responsible for collecting them, it was necessary for the researcher to do pilot and to verify data being collected. The researcher made checkups to ensure that the data collected by SACCO officials performs its duty honestly and without prejudice. When data is collected, it examined for completeness, comprehensibility, consistency and reliability. The accuracy of tabulation and accuracy of punching was checked and ensured. Finally statistical computations as such averages, percentages was emanated at completion of the research

3.8.1 Validity of data.

The validity of the data collection instruments was done with the help of the Supervisor to edit the questionnaire and the Interview guide. The Researcher forwarded the Questionnaire to Supervisor who is an expert in the area covered by the research for editing and reviewing necessary areas.

3.8 Data Processing

After the data collection exercise, the data collected was edited to eliminate errors, ensure completeness, accuracy and relevancy. It was then be coded to allow the use of frequencies and percentages as units of measurement this was through sorting and summarizing so as to make meaningful information for the betterment of Saccos and then presented in tables.

3.8.1 Data Analysis

Data analysis will be done using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Data will be analyzed using percentages, tables and frequencies so as to reflect the contribution of SACCOs on the financial accessibility of Saccos on households over the year under consideration to be able to suggest recommendations for improvement. Open-ended questionnaire and interviews were used with an intention to produce quality work.

3.9 Data presentation.

Data was classified and presented using tables, charts, graphs, MS Excel and MS word computer packages were used.

3.10 Ethical l consideration

Ethical considerations was taken into reflection by first looking for approval from the top management of Nkumba University.

Questionnaires was prepared in such a way that there will be no state of the Interviewee’s name. A statement as to the severe confidentiality with which data held was specifically stated in the interview guide

Further, responding was optional, basically explaining the reason for replacing respondents who did not wish to respond as mentioned in the “Sample Size and Sample Selection techniques” above.

Ethical considerations was taken care of by the researcher meeting the respondents as to the purpose of their search, their significance in the research process, and prospect from them.

3.11 Anticipated Limitations of the study

Study area. The study was conducted at Sacco offices, with a supposition that the results can be simulated and practical to related offices

It was not be efficiently feasible or operationally possible to study all SACCO branches, thus culminate into the choice on SACCO branches so as to have an in-depth acceptance of Fraud management using computerized accounting system SACCO branches seem to have similar or related objectives and have the same customers.

This can be solved by increasing on the time of study so that the sample size of selected SACCOS branches to be included in the study to be large to represent all other SACCO branches in Uganda

The design of the research was a cross section, implying that it was short term in nature. It was therefore likely not to confine an in-depth understanding of the state of affairs.

This can be solved by applying analytical and survey designs to study the variable in depth.

Financial constraint was also a challenge in carrying out the research since the available fund may not be enough to sustain the vast research proposals; it was a challenge in that regard.

This can be solved by allocating enough funds through prior budgeting for this exercise