Common Palance Essay

3.0 Introduction

Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. It is the process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting information to answer questions. The research process must have certain characteristics: it must, as far as possible, be controlled, rigorous, systematic, valid, verifiable and critical (Panneerselvam, 2004).

This chapter will deal with how the research is going to be carried out, that is the survey methods, the communication approach and the sampling methods that are going to be used. A research correctly designed and undertaken, builds knowledge because it represents an objective investigation of facts about a certain subject. It is thus vital to carefully plan and design how the research will be conducted.

First, it enables quantities of data to be collected. Secondly, results can be easily quantified especially with the use of closed-ended questions. Furthermore, there are theoretical advantages which enable quantitative data to be analysed more scientifically and objectively. Questionnaires are considered more reliable since the research can be replicated. It can be administered from a remote location using mail, e-mail.

3.5 Data Collection– concerned with collection and compilation of information from different sources

Pilot testing

In spite of any researcher’s best efforts, the final drafts of questionnaire often contains errors, omissions, questions that are confusing, biases, poorly worded and other problems. With a view to reducing the errors, a pre-test is a pre-requisite.

A pre-testing of questionnaire was undertaken with seven (5) respondents who ultimately did not form part of the sample size. The idea was to improve the questionnaires, reformulate questions that might cause problems or misunderstanding. In fact, the pilot survey revealed some misunderstandings in some questions and certain answers given were not sufficiently clear and concise.

Administering of