CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter outlines the research design, target population, sampling or the respondents of
the study, research instruments, methods of data collection, procedures and methods of data
analysis, ethical issues.

3.2 Research Design

The research will adopt descriptive research design. The study seeks to understand the
various proponents that have contributed to projects either collapsing or sustaining
themselves. Descriptive research design will be able to assist in collecting the required sets
of information that will be of importance in determine the influence of the independent
variable to the dependent variable (Sanders et al, 2003). This research design is useful to
this research as it provides and defines the research aspects from various angles i.e.
individual, organizational and national standpoint. Based on this analogy, the research
design enables the researcher to collect data from a wider group of respondents on the
influence of community participation on sustainability of water projects in Elgeyo –
Marakwet County, Kenya

3.3 Target Population

Target population refers to individuals of groups of people who share similar characteristics
and are recognized as the persons whom the phenomenon under study affects or the people
who have both direct or indirect relationship to the occurrence of the phenomenon. Based
on the study’s scope, the target population will revolve around project managers, project
sponsors (donors) and community members (beneficiaries of the water project).
Table 1: Target population
Target group Target population
Project managers 225
Project sponsors (Donors) 317
Community members 1568
Total 2110
3.4 Sampling procedure and sample size

3.4.1 Sampling procedure

With reference to Ogula (2005) sampling procedure is the method employed in selecting
groups from a population to take part in a research. Through this selection the chosen
population are assumed to epitomize the larger population. Based on the type and nature of
the study, the researcher will utilize simple random sampling procedure. This is found to
useful as it falls under the probability sampling procedures in which they provide an equal
chance for any respondents to selected thus representing the whole population. In simple
random sampling the research will develop a list of all the stakeholders in the area from
which the sample to be used in the study will be derived. From the derived list all the
respondents will have an equal opportunity of being selected for the study.

3.4.2 Sample size

Zamboni (2018) describes sample size as the number of persons who actively participate in
any form for research or survey. To determine the sample size for the population, the
researcher uses the formula as stated below as brought forward by Yamane (1967): -
N
n=
( 1+Ne 2 )

Where,
n = the sample size
N = the size of population
e= the error of 5 percentage points
therefore
2110
n= =336 .25
( 1+(2110×0 . 052 )

Based on Yamane’s formula the sample size will be = 336 respondents

Table 2: Sample Size

Target group Target population Sample size
 Project managers 225 36
Project sponsors (Donors) 317 50
Community members 1568 250
Total 2110 336336

3.5 Methods of Data Collection

For any research to be relevant, data has to be collected, the study will several methods of
data collection. Questionnaires will be the primary data collection tool. Questionnaires are
found to be reliable especially in circumstances where the individual has large population
to collect data. In most cases questionnaires are used to collect specific sets of data on
specific issues. The questionnaires used by the researcher will use the likert scale to
determine how th independent variable has influenced the dependent variable. In reference
to Kothari (2014), questionnaires are argued to the simplest tools to collect and analyze
data and they save time and resources. Furthermore, the researcher will use observation
method to determine the current status of water projects within the county. Based on these
observations, the research will compare the findings of both the questionnaires and the
observations to determine if the phenomenon being researched on actually has influence on
the corresponding phenomenon.
The questionnaires will be administered by trained research assistants to be completed by
the respondents. The respondents will be given a time frame within which they were
required to respond to the questionnaire. Upon completion, the research assistants will
collect the questionnaires and ensure high completion rate and return of the completed
questionnaires.
41 Secondary data will involve data that will be collected from other past data that will
have been collected and tabulated through graphs, charts, and reports. This type of data will
be collected from reference materials, which have key information and will be helpful to
this research study. Collection of secondary data will be obtained through desk research,
which will either be from internal or external sources. The external source includes
publication press, newspapers, libraries, and various research related organizations.

3.6 Validity and reliability

Validity refers to the accuracy and meaningfulness of inferences, which are based on the
research results. According to Mugenda and Mugenda (1999), the usual procedure in
assessing the content validity of a measure is to use a professional or expert in a particular
field which helps in discovering question content, correction in the wording and the
sequencing problems before the actual study as well as exploring ways of improving
overall quality of study. For the sake of this study, the researcher will seek opinions of
experts in the field of study especially the lecturers in the department of project
management to establish the validity of the research instrument. This will facilitate the
necessary revision and modification of the research instrument thereby enhancing validity.

Reliability of the data collection instrument is the consistency of measurement and

frequently assessed using a test–retest reliability method (Mugenda and Mugenda, 2003).
Reliability enabled the researcher to identify the ambiguities and inadequate items in the
research instrument; where the instrument reliability is the dependability, consistency or
trustworthiness of a test. The test - retest technique will be the measure, where
questionnaires will be administered to a group of individuals (according to the tested
number) with similar characteristics as the actual sample. Tests will be repeated at intervals
of one week. The scores obtained from each test will be correlated to get the coefficient of
reliability. In the event that the Spearman ‘s Rank Correlation Coefficient falls at an
average of 0.75, it would be certain that the instrument is 85% reliable and therefore
reliable and consistent to answer the research questions of the study

3.7 Data Analysis and presentation

The questionnaires will be edited and coded to check that all responses were given and
indicate the accuracy. Descriptive statistics will be used to analyze the data. Descriptive
statistics involves computing frequency distributions, mean, mode, percentages and
standard deviations. Descriptive statistics allows for narration to be used to interpret the
data on variables. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer program
will be used due to enormous quantity of data. Pearson’s Moment Product correlation will
be used to determine the relationship between variables.

3.8 Ethical issues

While conducting the study, the researcher will ensure that research ethics were observed.
Participation in the study was voluntary. Privacy and confidentiality will be observed. The
objectives of the study will be explained to the respondents with an assurance that the data
provided would be used for academic purpose only. Authority to conduct the research will
be sort from various organizations – National Commission for Science and Innovation
(NACOSTI) and the University of Nairobi.