Important Sections of the Methodology Chapter in the Dissertation Method Kazaura, PhD

Methodology

A methodology Explaining how you carried out your research Where your data come from Type of data gathering techniques used, etc It is an instruction manual of your plasma TV

A methodology Third party gets enough information to replicate a study Do not have to include tools Shows why you chose to use those particular techniques What new information to collect

Methodology (points): Introduction Study design Study area Target population Study population Sample size Sampling procedure Study instruments

Methodology (points): Ctn Data collection procedure Pre-testing of tools Recruitment of Ras Management of tool in the field Data sorting and editing Data entry Data processing and analysis

Methodology (points): Ctn Variables (Dependent and Independent) Ethical issues

Introduction Summary of the research questions Brief aims and objectives of your study in relation to the methodology

Study types Quantitative or qualitative or both approaches Exploratory or Descriptive study Knowing that a problem exist but know little about its characteristics or possible causes Cross-sectional comparative Case-control Cohort Suspect that certain factors contribute to the problem Analytical studies Know factors, you want to the extent to which a particular factor causes/ contributes to the problem Cohort study Experimental or Quasi experimental study Knowing the cause, develop or assess an intervention to prevent or solve the problem Quantitative or qualitative or both approaches

Study area Bring the reader to understand your study area Relevant information only

Target population The population into which inference would be made

Study population The actual sample you will collect data

Sample size estimation Probabilistic or non-probabilistic “Convenient”? Right formula (necessary to show a formula?)

Sampling procedure Clear, step-by-step If more than one population, have separate sub-section

Stratified VS Cluster sampling 4 STS: Take a sample in each stratum CLS: Fully study all units in a selected cluster

Study instruments

Data collection tools Using secondary data? Observational? Primary data (Interviewing)? Self-admin or face-to-face? Focus group discussions or IDI?

Data collection tools Can use a combination of these Each has advantages and disadvantages Try to minimize BIAS (distortion of the collected data – away from reality) Observer bias, defective instrument, information bias, etc Language and procedure to get a final version

Questionnaires Take objective and variables as a starting point Formulate a question that captures both A question should measure one thing at a time No leading questions Avoid vague terms (“unhealthy food”) Get the proper sequencing (flow) of questions Ask sensitive questions in a socially acceptable way (“If your friend was considering abortion, what would you advise her”)

Questionnaires Open-ended questions Semi structured questions What do you think are the reasons for not breast-feeding? Semi structured questions Example…. Closed questions Example

Variables What new information are we going to collect? Background variables (maybe independent variables) Dependent variables Confounding variables Remember, types of variables will dictate the type of analysis (handling of variables)

Variables How are you going to measure them? Operational definition of variables

Data collection procedure So as to help improve the usefulness, timeliness, and accuracy of data These procedures describe processes that will result in high quality data Who to do what How Imagine you are planning to conduct ‘exit interviews’

Recruitment of RAs and Pre-testing RA: who are they and why? Pilot and pre-testing of instruments

Management of data in the field What to do after a completed questionnaire? Safe custody Data sorting and editing Data entry

Processing and analysis Sort data Perform quality checks Data processing (master sheets or Epi Info) Categorizing Coding (new variables or for open ended questions) Summarizing data into master sheets or data entry

Data analysis Describe variables (frequency tables) Based on objectives, cross-tables? Select (decide) appropriate tests

Ethical considerations Are data collection techniques likely to cause physical or emotional harm? Obtain informed consent Permission to conduct a study