Chapter Three
Methodology
Methodology
3.1. Introduction
This chapter presents the systematic approach employed to investigate the role of social media in
raising mental health awareness among Babcock University undergraduates. The study adopts a
mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a
comprehensive understanding of how social media platforms influence mental health awareness
among students. The mixed-methods approach was selected because it offers several advantages for
this particular study like its ability to provide a complete picture of the phenomenon under study.
While quantitative methods generate statistical data about students' social media usage patterns,
engagement rates, and changes in awareness levels, qualitative methods offer deep insights into
personal experiences, motivations, and the nuanced ways students interact with mental health
content on social media platforms. The study primarily employs a cross-sectional survey design using
structured questionnaires to gather quantitative data from a representative sample of Babcock
University undergraduates. This approach enables the collection of data from a large number of
students across different faculties and levels of study, ensuring a broad representation of the student
population. To complement the survey data, focus group discussions (FGDs) will be conducted with
selected students to obtain rich, detailed qualitative data about their experiences with mental health
content on social media platforms.
3.2. Research Design
To get the most reliable findings, quantitative method has been used for this
research. Malhotra (2017) defined quantitative research method as “a research methodology that
seeks to quantify the data, and typically, applies some form of statistical analysis”. In this
regard, Cavana et al (2018) argued that to obtain the valid finding about the relationship between
variables; researchers should develop planned procedure for gathering and interpreting data.
Furthermore, Malhotra (2017) suggested that research planned procedures represented a
quantitative research. The ideal quantitative research design is to identify the research hypothesis
(the expected solution to the problem or challenge) (Cavana et al., 2018). In addition, quantitative
research analysis, also known as fixed design, is a deductive approach that used standardized
method for collecting data (Meadows, 2018).
3.3 Population of the Study
Population refers to the set or group of all the units which possess variable characteristics under
study and for which findings of the research can be generalized (Satish Prakash2020). For the
purpose of the study, the object of interest is Babcock undergraduates which according, to Babcock
Registry (2024)the population of Babcock undergraduates is 11,700
3.4 Sample Size
The study’s sample size was calculated using the cochran’s formula which is particularly well suited
for survey research of finite populations.
3.4.1 Cochran’s formula
n= = (Z²pq)/e²
Where:
- n = sample size
- Z = Z-score for your desired confidence level (typically 1.96 for 95% confidence)
- p = estimated proportion of the population with the attribute (0.5 if unknown)
- q = 1-p
- e = desired margin of error (typically 0.05 for 5%)
Since we already have a finite population of Babcock student, we would be using the
Where:
• n = required sample size
• N = total population size (12,374 students)
• e = margin of error (e.g., 0.05 for 5%)
Calculation:
Let’s say you choose a margin of error of 5% (0.05), and a population size of
12,374.
n = \frac{12,374}{1 + 12,374(0.05)^2}
n = \frac{12,374}{1 + 12,374(0.0025)}
n = \frac{12,374}{1 + 30.935}
n = \frac{12,374}{31.935}
n \approx 387
Therefore, this research will be based on 387 samples
Sampling technique
The sampling technique used for this study is the simple random sampling Technique. The research
focused on undergraduates at Babcock university. Each student has an equal chance of being
selected to be given questionnaires.
3.6 Research Instrument
A well-constructed and self-developed questionnaire titled “Social Media and
Academic Performance of Students Questionnaire (SMAAPOS)” was used to get
the desired information from the students. The questionnaire was divided into two
sections (A and B). Section A was for collection of information on personal data of
respondents while Section B consisted of questions that elicited responses from the
respondents with response options: Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D)
and Strongly Disagree (SD). Based on research questions
3.7 Validity of the Instrument
The designed questionnaire was submitted to the project supervisor for vetting,
correction and approval before distributing it to the respondents.
3.8 Reliability of the Instrument
The reliability of the research instrument was determined using a split half test
using the odd and even numbered items to form the two halves. The two halves
were administered to a sample of students from a university not selected for the
main study. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the
reliability of the instrument. A coefficient value of 0.65 indicated that the research
instrument was reliable; hence it was adopted for getting the desired information
for the study.
3.9 Method of Data Collection
A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions
and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents.
Although they are often designed for statistical analysis of the responses, this is not
always the case. The questionnaire was invented by Sir Francis Galton (2019).
Questionnaires have advantages over some other types of surveys in that they are
cheap, do not require as much effort from the questioner as verbal or telephone
surveys, and often have standardized answers that make it simple to compile data.
As a type of survey, questionnaires also have many of the same problems relating
to question construction and wording that exist in other types of opinion polls.
3.10 Method of Data Analysis
Responses from the questionnaire were analyzed using the descriptive statistics of
frequency counts and percentage, and inferential statistics of Chi-square(x2 ).
Descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages were used in analyzing
demographic variables and research questions while the inferential statistics of
Chi-square(x2 ) was also used to test the stated hypotheses at 0.05 level of
significance.