CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Area of Study

The study area of this study is The Federal Polytechnic Bauchi.

3.2 Research Design

Research methodology is the procedure in collecting data for the research work. It deals basically

with the sources of data (primary and secondary) and determines the sample size and method of

data analysis. Methodology is an important stage in any research work as it provides the basis for

empirical investigation of the research questions in other to close the gaps identified in the

literature. According to Hassard (1991), methodology is the process by which a researcher

attempts to investigate and acquire knowledge about the real world. The choice of a methodology

therefore to a large extent depends on the researcher’s sets of objectives of carrying out the study

(Ryan, 2002). As a study that aims to investigate the effect of entrepreneurship training on self-

employment, several assumptions were made which underpin the basis for this study. This

research by purpose can therefore be describes as being descriptive and analytical in nature.

A survey design was employed in this study. This was because the study required an explanation

on the relationship between study variables and performance of small scale business. They survey

design helped in primary data gathering. According to Hassan (2018), primary data is a new data

that have not been collected before of which its sources are observation, interview and

questionnaires. Therefore, the primary data was obtained from final year students of the

department of business administration and management to find out if the relationships between the

variables are common to them or not. This study aimed at collecting data without manipulating the

research variables or the respondents in an attempt to get the perception of the respondents toward
their own assessment in identifying the effects of cooperative society as a means of financing small

scale business. The researchers also used secondary data in the course of conducting this research.

Secondary data can be raw and compiled data which are being collected for a specific purpose

(Hassan, 2018).

3.3 Population of the Study

The population of a study is the entire group of people, events, things, or organizations that a

researcher intends to investigate. The population of the study is the total population of students of

federal polytechnic bauchi ; which is 11223.

3.4 Sample and Sampling Techniques

In selecting sample from the population for the study, out of the total population of 11223 students in federal

polytechnic bauchi, the following formular is adopted to arrive at the sample.

n = N/1+N (e)²

Where n= sample size

N= population

e= margin error = 10%(0.1)

1= constant

11223/1+11223(0.1)²

11223/1+11223(0.01)

11223/1+112.23

11223/113.23

99.1168418

the sample size is 99

I
3.5 Research Instruments and Administration.

The research instrument used by the researcher to gather data to conduct this research is

questionnaire. A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions for the

purpose of gathering information from respondents. The questionnaire items were clearly

simplified and structure in a manner void of any ambiguity, but there were still some technical

performance measurement terms and details. The questionnaire was close ended items which the

respondents provide answers.

Primary data refers to original data or information complied and studied for a specific purpose.

This it helps in providing the appropriate answers to research questions and however the

researcher made use of primary data through interviews and by utilizing a self-administered

questionnaire (Ghauri & Gronhaug, 2005).

The advantage of collecting primary data is the fact that they are collected for a particular

project; hence, they are more consistent with the research questions and research objectives. The

researcher also consulted secondary data from textbooks, journals, unpublished HND projects

which adds up to the primary data.

The researcher administered 99 questionnaires to students of federal polytechnic bauchi under

investigation by himself.

3.6 Validity of the Research Instrument

To test the validity of the research instrument the researchers did two things: First the researcher

discussed items in the instrument with the supervisor, and colleagues. Advice given by these

people helped the researchers to determine the validity of the research instruments. The advice

includes suggestions, clarifications and other inputs. These suggestions were used in making

necessary changes. Secondly, content validity of the instrument was checked through piloting,

where the responses to the subject were checked against the research objectives.

3.6 (b) Reliability of the Research Instrument

Reliability coefficients range from 0.00 to 1.00, with higher coefficients indicating higher levels

of reliability. Reliability estimates evaluate the stability of measures, internal consistency of

instruments and reliability of instrument scores. To determine the coefficient of stability,

Pearson’s product moment formula was used. This establishes the extent to which the

questionnaire elicits the same responses every time it is administered. A correlation of 0.5 was

considered reliable for the study. The results obtained from the pilot study assisted the researcher

in revising the questionnaire to make sure that it covers the objectives of the study (Frenkel

&Wallel, 2000).

3.7 Method of Data Analysis.

The researcher used both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics to analyze the data.

Descriptive statistical tools that were used are frequency, percentages, mean and standard

deviations.

3.8 Decision Rule