research methodology
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter covers research design, study population, sampling design, sources of data
collection, methods of data collection, procedure of data collection, data quality control, data
processing, presentation, and analysis and finally limitations anticipated.
3.2 Research design
The study will use descriptive research design. The researcher will employ descriptive research
design since it provides the opinion of people about the subject knowledge on the impact of
human resource practices on quality service levels. The designs will avail the researcher with
comprehensive information about the research study as a way to get solutions. Descriptive
approach, in this case will be used because the study seeks descriptive analysis of information.
3.3 Study population
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The population of the study will be 25 people which willinclude; the staffs of Mbarara district
local government from different departments. The researcher will choose to take the above study
population due to insufficient resources to manage a large number of respondents.
3.4 Sampling design.
Sampling design will consist of the sampling size and sampling techniques.
3.4.1 Sampling size
The population under consideration will be 25 staffs from different department of Mbarara
district local government, like Procurement department, stores department, finance department,
health and other department. The researcher will consider members of staff who have worked for
at least six months and above in the organization.
3.4.2 Sampling technique.
The sampling technique will be purposive sampling and this will be used to select workers form
Procurement department, stores department, finance department, health. Simple random
sampling will be used to select respondents from other department.
Random sampling will be used in order to give equal chance to population of the study. The
method will be chosen to save cash and time.
3.5 Sources of data collection
This will include both primary and secondary sources
3.5.1 Primary sources
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The primary data will be obtained through questionnaires. This will involve distributing
questionnaires to chosen respondents. Primary data will be used to compare whether what is in
the literature matches with respondent’s views.
3.4.2 Secondary data
The researcher will obtain data from written documents like reports which have already been
compiled by other persons; this will be obtained from journals, text books, magazines, and
various documents through review of related literature from 1990 up to date. This will be to
supplement on primary data and also to compare primary data with literature review.
3.6 Methods of data collection
This will include questionnaires and interviews that will be used to gather data on the impact of
human resource practices on quality service levels.
3.6.1 Questionnaires
The researcher will form close ended and open ended questionnaires designed to collect data on
the impact of human resource practices on quality service levels at Mbarara district local
government, this will be sent to respondents for them to answer. The researcher will collect
questionnaires back for analysis; data will be coded into understandable and meaningful
information. This method will be chosen because it is easier to gather information; it will give
the respondents enough time to answer the questions since questionnaires will be dropped to the
respondents and then collected after 10 days.
3.6.2 Observation
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This will involve a researcher going to the field, and observe critically what is in the field;record
the finding and then conclusion will be drawn.The method will give more reliable and accurate
information. It will give first-hand impression that removes doubt; it will enable researcher to
clarify some questions on the spot.
3.7 Research variables
The variables of the study are independent and dependent variables. Impact of human resource
practices is independent while quality service levels are dependent.
3.8 Procedure for data collection.
The researcher will acquire an introductory letter from the University and will be presented to
the organization where the research will be conducted from.
3.9 Data quality control
The detailed information concerning the study will be analyzed in a way that reflects what will
be answered by the respondents. These willhelp the researcher to come up with accurate and
correct results about the study variables.
3.10 Data analysis and presentation
The findings of the data will be presented by use of tables, by arranging describing data in
relation to the objectives of the study. Editing will be done to ensure completeness of
questionnaire and to eliminate misrepresentation of questionnaires.
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3.11 Ethical consideration
The information got will be kept confidential and strictly used for academic purpose in writing
the report.
3.12. Anticipated limitations.
The researcher may face the following limitations in the process of conducting the study;
Limited time to conduct the study because of other activities however this will be solved
through proper planning and time budgeting.
Language barrier between the researcher and the respondents and this problem will be
solved through encouraging respondents to guide them in terms of narrating.
Limited financial support to the study this will be solved through borrowing from fellow
students.
