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
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
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
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.
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.
