Chapter three
Methodology
3.1 Introduction
As a part of the proposal narrative, the methodology is where you can clearly outline
how you will use the requested funds to accomplish your project’s objectives. It is the
component in the proposal narrative where you bridge the gap between the objectives
and the eventual outcome. It is also where you demonstrate your project’s feasibility
by detailing your experiences and resources that will be drawn upon to carry out the
project.
The bulk of the methodology discussion should contain detailed descriptions of what
project activities will be conducted and how they will be carried out. As your “plan of
attack,” your proposed methodology shows the funding agency that you have a logical
and well-thought-out plan to carry out reasonable project activities that will lead to
the desired outcome. The methods you describe should be presented in a coherent
manner, naturally progressing from start to finish.
Importance of methodologies in research
To know which methods to choose in order to achieve the set goals.
To reduce the risk of failing in research.
To equip and prepare to use the applicable methods of research in the relevant field.
3.2 Methodology tools
This are tools used to collect data or information with an aim of analyzing
functionality of a project from a targeted group of people.The methods include the
following:
3.2.1 Questionnaires
Questionnaires are a good way to obtain information from a large number of people
and/or people who may not have the time to attend an interview or take part in
experiments. They enable people to take their time, think about it and come back to
the questionnaire later. Participants can state their views or feelings privately without
worrying about the possible reaction of the researcher. Unfortunately, some people
may still be inclined to try to give socially acceptable answers. People should be
, encouraged to answer the questions as honestly as possible so as to avoid the
researchers drawing false conclusions from their study.
Questionnaires typically contain multiple choice questions, attitude scales, closed
questions and open-ended questions. The drawback for researchers is that they usually
have a fairly low response rate and people do not always answer all the questions
and/or do not answer them correctly. Questionnaires can be administered in a number
of different ways (e.g. sent by post or as email attachments, posted on Internet sites,
handed out personally or administered to captive audience (such as people attending
conferences). Researchers may even decide to administer the questionnaire in person
which has the advantage of including people who have difficulties reading and
writing. In this case, the participant may feel that s/he is taking part in an interview
rather than completing a questionnaire as the researcher will be noting down the
responses on his/her behalf.
3.2.2 Observation forms
Observation forms are more like designed forms of activities to check or
take a record of during a field data collection practice.
They are used to record a sample of people who were there during the
activities and who were involved in field work,based on their
characters,response to the observation test etc.
Advantages of observation forms
a) It will help for future reference in case the recordings are required.
b) It helps in drawing ideas on where to improve depending on the
recorded assumptions.
c) It contributes to the decision making process where justifications
are required to ensure that a decision was made out of an action.
Disadvantages of observation forms
a) It limits the number of response that needs to be recorded because
its only the main ones are recorded.
b) It requires forms to be readily available or else it becomes hard to
record observations made
3.3 Data collection methods
Methodology
3.1 Introduction
As a part of the proposal narrative, the methodology is where you can clearly outline
how you will use the requested funds to accomplish your project’s objectives. It is the
component in the proposal narrative where you bridge the gap between the objectives
and the eventual outcome. It is also where you demonstrate your project’s feasibility
by detailing your experiences and resources that will be drawn upon to carry out the
project.
The bulk of the methodology discussion should contain detailed descriptions of what
project activities will be conducted and how they will be carried out. As your “plan of
attack,” your proposed methodology shows the funding agency that you have a logical
and well-thought-out plan to carry out reasonable project activities that will lead to
the desired outcome. The methods you describe should be presented in a coherent
manner, naturally progressing from start to finish.
Importance of methodologies in research
To know which methods to choose in order to achieve the set goals.
To reduce the risk of failing in research.
To equip and prepare to use the applicable methods of research in the relevant field.
3.2 Methodology tools
This are tools used to collect data or information with an aim of analyzing
functionality of a project from a targeted group of people.The methods include the
following:
3.2.1 Questionnaires
Questionnaires are a good way to obtain information from a large number of people
and/or people who may not have the time to attend an interview or take part in
experiments. They enable people to take their time, think about it and come back to
the questionnaire later. Participants can state their views or feelings privately without
worrying about the possible reaction of the researcher. Unfortunately, some people
may still be inclined to try to give socially acceptable answers. People should be
, encouraged to answer the questions as honestly as possible so as to avoid the
researchers drawing false conclusions from their study.
Questionnaires typically contain multiple choice questions, attitude scales, closed
questions and open-ended questions. The drawback for researchers is that they usually
have a fairly low response rate and people do not always answer all the questions
and/or do not answer them correctly. Questionnaires can be administered in a number
of different ways (e.g. sent by post or as email attachments, posted on Internet sites,
handed out personally or administered to captive audience (such as people attending
conferences). Researchers may even decide to administer the questionnaire in person
which has the advantage of including people who have difficulties reading and
writing. In this case, the participant may feel that s/he is taking part in an interview
rather than completing a questionnaire as the researcher will be noting down the
responses on his/her behalf.
3.2.2 Observation forms
Observation forms are more like designed forms of activities to check or
take a record of during a field data collection practice.
They are used to record a sample of people who were there during the
activities and who were involved in field work,based on their
characters,response to the observation test etc.
Advantages of observation forms
a) It will help for future reference in case the recordings are required.
b) It helps in drawing ideas on where to improve depending on the
recorded assumptions.
c) It contributes to the decision making process where justifications
are required to ensure that a decision was made out of an action.
Disadvantages of observation forms
a) It limits the number of response that needs to be recorded because
its only the main ones are recorded.
b) It requires forms to be readily available or else it becomes hard to
record observations made
3.3 Data collection methods
