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CHAPTERTHREEDAVIDSOSPETER
CHAPTERTHREEDAVIDSOSPETER
CHAPTERTHREEDAVIDSOSPETER
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David Sospeter
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
This chapter explains various methodologies that were used in gathering data and analysis which
are relevant to the research. The methodologies will include areas such as the location of the
study, research design, sampling and sample size, types of data, data collection method and its
management.
3.7.1 Questionnaire
A questionnaire is a general term to include all techniques of data in which each person is asked
to respond to the same set of questions in a predetermined order and interview this involve face
to face questions with the respondent and those answer are simple and well under stood to the
researcher. (DeVaus, 2002 as cited by Saunders et al, 2006) Basing on the nature of the study,
the questionnaires were used for both customers and staff members of TANESCO to get
information which was used in the analytical part of the study. This will help to get an in-depth
understanding on the real extent of the effectiveness of prepaid metering system in revenue
collection.
3.7.2 Interview
Is a method of collecting data through oral and verbal communication between the researcher
and the respondent, Both structured and unstructured questions, interview was used because they
are quite flexible, adaptable and can easily allow researcher to see to get more insight on the
topic. It was used to find views of Senior Manager and Manager of TANESCO on the
performance of the prepaid metering system.
3.8 Reliability of Data
It is concerned with consistency of responses with which repeated measures produce the same
result across time and across observers (Saunder et al 2003) three criteria are used in measuring
reliability test retest reliability, Alternative form reliability and internal consistency reliability.
The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient is commonly used to test the manner reliable measure and
instruments were apparent (Katanda, 2004). A 95 % confidence interval was set during the
planning stage in order to achieve accepted levels of data reliability. In addition, the used the
statistical package for social science (SPSS) and Excel to verify reliability of the edited data
using Cronbach’s test.
3.9 Validity
Validity is concerned with whether the findings are really about what they appear to be about.
(Sounder, 2003) During the planning stage an expert was consulted to check the schedule before
actual data collection. All questions were pre tested in the relevant study areas. Modifications
was made before actual data collection for the purpose measuring theoretical meaning and
concepts and consistency of language used to represent concepts thus validity test pre-test of
questionnaire also assisted in detecting irrelevant ambiguous and redundant questions.