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Chapter 3: Research Methodology

3.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the research methodology. This chapter outlines the
qualitative methodology which will help the researcher in finding out the strategies
used by the early childhood caregivers in managing problem behavior in schools.
The researcher will also focus on the research design, sample and sampling
procedures, data collection methods, data analysis and presentation and the
conclusion.

3.1 Research Design

Chiromo (2006) contends that a research design is the arrangement of conditions

for collecting and analyzing data aiming at combining relevance of the research.
William (2006) defines a research design as the overall strategy you choose to
integrate the different components of the study in a coherent and logical way,
thereby ensuring that you will effectively address the research problem. Yin (2003)
regards a research design as a “blue print” of research which deals with what
questions to study, what data to collect and how results are analyzed. In this
review one may refer to a research design as the method used to gather data.

The study is going to use the case study design to find out strategies used by early
childhood teachers in managing problem behaviour at Waterfalls Primary School.
Burns and Groove (2003) view a case study as chiefly centered on the investigation
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of phenomenon in its natural context. Cherry (2015) defines a case study as a

research methods involving detailed investigation of a single or individual
organized group. Hale (2011) avers that the case study often leads to testable
hypothesis. According to Yin (2003) a case study provides more realistic response.
The researcher is going to use a case study method because it provides much more
detailed information than what is available through other methods, such as surveys.
However, a case study can be lengthy because it provides detailed information
about the case in narratives form, it may be difficult to hold a readers interest.

3.2 Sample and Sampling Procedures

A sample is a finite part of a statistical population whose properties are studied to

gain information about the whole. (Webster 2010). Weiler (2002) says that a
sample is the same item chosen to represent the larger population. Johnson and
Christensen (2008) define a sample as a set of elements taken from the larger
population. Therefore a sample may be defined as a selection of elements
proportioned from population. A sample can enable data to be collected and
summarized more quickly. A carefully selected sample can provide data
representative of the population from which it is drawn.

The researcher is going to select a number of people to work with from the school.
The participants will include the teacher- in -charge, 4 teachers (2 from ECD A and
2 from ECD B) and 4 ECD classes. The researcher is going to work with these
participants in finding out strategies that are used by teachers in managing problem
behavior in the classroom. The teacher- in -charge is a suitable participant since he
or she is the head of the infant department. The teacher in charge has got first hand
information on the pupils in the infant department. The teachers are also the right
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participants in this research project since they are the ones who spend most of the
time in the classroom and use different strategies to manage problems behaviour in
the classroom. The researcher will also use a few pupils from ECD A class and
ECD B class. The participants are suitable because they are the ones whom the
researcher is going to observe in order to find out different types of behaviour they
exhibit in classroom.

Sampling Procedures

Burns and Grove (2003) refer to sampling as a process of selecting a group of

people, events or behaviour with which to conduct a study. Patton (2002) defines
sampling as a means of selecting a given number of subjects from a defined
population. In this study the researcher is going to use purposive sampling.
Purposive sampling is a method of sampling where the researcher deliberately
chooses who to include in the study based on the ability to provide necessary data
(Parahoo, 1997). Purposive sampling is an informant selection tool widely used in
ethnabotany (Bernard, 2002). The researcher wants to find out strategies used by
the early childhood caregivers to manage behaviour problems at Waterfalls
Primary School in Harare District. The researcher specifically choose this school
because this is the school where the researcher did her teaching practice and came
across certain behaviour problems in early childhood classes.
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3.3 Data Collection Procedures

The researcher will collect a clearance letter from the Great Zimbabwe University
which she will use to request for permission to carry out her research activities at
Waterfalls Primary school in Harare District. This researcher will first seek
permission from the province, then at the district education offices and lastly at the
school. The researcher will ask permission from the school head to get at least four
weeks to gather the expected information for this study to be a success.

3.4 Data Collection Methods

Research instruments are tools that are used to collect data in order to find
solutions to the problems under investigation. According to Cohen and Manion
(1995) the collection of information typically involves one or more of the
following data gathering techniques such as questionnaires, interviews and
observation guides. Parahoo (1997) asserts that a research instrument is a tool used
to collect data. Bernard and Ryan (2010) define research instruments as derives for
systematically collecting data such as text, checklist, interviews or questionnaires
and inspection of records as means for soliciting information from subjects.
Therefore a research instrument is a tool used by researchers to collect data. In this
case researcher is going to use observation method, questionnaires and interviews
as data collection instruments for a number of reasons which are going to be
outlined.
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3.4.1 Observation

The researcher is going to observe ECD A and ECD B learners, and note the
behavioural problems they exhibit during lessons. Haralambos and Holborn (2008)
view observation as a technique which has been used to meet requirements of the
researcher with various views on the nature of social reality. Mwamwenda (1995)
defines observation as a method of generating information on human is and it can
be either direct or indirect. Therefore the researcher can say observation is more
than just a recording of data from the environment. Observation provides first hand
information about exisisting systems. Observation requires few resources and it
also provide the researcher with first-hand experience about the participants
emotions and attitudes. However the observation method is bias as the observer has
the final say. It is also time consuming and pupils may change their normal
behaviour pattern during observation.

3.4.2 Questionnaire

According to Cohen, Manion and Marrison (2009) a questionnaire is the document

containing questions designed to solicit appropriate information for analysis from
persons (subject) by writing responses to questions. Merriam (2009) posit that a
questionnaire is a research instrument that gathers data over a large sample. One
can say a questionnaire is a common instrument for collecting data where
participants are given papers with questions where they answer “y” or “n”.
Questionnaires permit anonymity and privacy. A questionnaire is a good tool for
protecting privacy of participant’s .Questionnaires give freedom to respondents
because there is no influence of the researcher. The questionnaire has its own
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disadvantages. Questionnaires need more time to prepare extensively to get clear

and relevant questions needed. They also tend to form misinterpretation by
respondents. Two teachers from ECD A and two teachers from ECD B will
respond to the questionnaires given by the researcher.

3.4.3 Interviews

The researcher is going to interview the teacher-in-charge in order to find out her
views and understanding on behavioural problems and strategies used by teachers
to manage behavioural problems at Waterfalls Primary School. An interview is
defined as a form of discussion between two parties in which information is
exchanged to gain a better understanding of the background (Marshal and
Rossman, 2011). Huysamen (1994) defines interviews as ways of getting data
about people by asking questions from them. Interviews can be defined as a
situation in which an interviewer asks a series of questions in a directed orderly
manner. Interviews give immediate feedback. They also produce high
responsiveness rate among all concerned participants. However it can be tiresome
when the researcher interviews a large number of participants. Interviews can be
time consuming.

3.5 Data Presentation and Analysis

Shitto (2012) describes data analysis as the process of bringing order to the
collected data, organizing what is produced into patterns, categories and basic
descriptive units. The researcher will use qualitative analysis. Qualitative research
design will assist the researcher to understand and easily interpret the research
finding. The researcher will present data using the narrative thick descriptive
method.
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3.6 Conclusion

This chapter has discussed the research methodology. The chapter presented the
research design, sample and sampling procedures, data collection procedures, data
collection methods. Data analysis and presentation was also highlighted in this
chapter. Chapter four will focus on the presentation analysis and interpretation of
data gathered and discussion of findings.
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