CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Methodology (preview)
This chapter presents the methods used in conducting the study on motivation and employee
productivity at MTN Nigeria. It highlights the research design, population, data collection, and
methods of data analysis used to achieve the study objectives.
3.2 Research Design
This study adopts a descriptive survey research design to examine the relationship between
motivation and employee productivity at MTN Nigeria. The descriptive survey design is
considered appropriate because it enables the researcher to collect data from employees at a
specific point in time without manipulating any variables.
The survey method allows for the collection of primary data directly from employees regarding
their experiences with motivational strategies and how these strategies influence their
productivity. According to Kothari (2014), a descriptive survey design is effective in studying the
characteristics, opinions, and behaviors of a population, as well as establishing relationships
among variables.
3.3 Population of the Study
The population of this study comprises all employees of MTN Nigeria across various
departments, including Customer Service, Marketing, Technical Support, Administration,
Finance, and Human Resources.
Population refers to the entire group of individuals or elements that are relevant to a particular
study. In research, the population represents all members who possess the characteristics that
the researcher intends to investigate. Since this study focuses on the impact of motivation on
employee productivity, all employees of MTN Nigeria constitute the population because they are
directly influenced by the organization’s motivational policies and practices. Therefore, every
employee within the organization is considered relevant to the study.
3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique
Due to the large size of the population of MTN Nigeria employees, it was not feasible to study the
entire population. Therefore, a sample was selected to represent the population adequately.
A total of 108 employees were selected as the sample size for this study. Out of the
questionnaires distributed, 108 were properly completed and returned, and these constituted the
final sample used for data analysis.
A sample is the total number drawn from the population that is feasible for the study. The
sampling technique used is convenience sampling, a non-probability sampling technique where
participants are selected based on their accessibility and availability to the researcher.
3.5 Instrument for Data Collection
The primary instrument used for data collection in this study was a structured questionnaire. The
questionnaire was carefully designed in line with the research objectives and hypotheses to
obtain relevant and reliable data on the impact of motivation on employee productivity at MTN
Nigeria.
The questionnaire was divided into five sections:
• Section A: Demographic information (age, gender, department, job level)
• Section B: Motivational strategies in MTN Nigeria
• Section C: Relationship between motivation and productivity
• Section D: Intrinsic motivation and employee performance
• Section E: Open-ended questions for additional opinions
The quantitative aspect used a four-point Likert scale: Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree
(D), and Strongly Disagree (SD).
The questionnaire was administered online using Google Forms for easy distribution and data
collection.
3.6 Validity of the Instrument
To ensure validity, the questionnaire was submitted to the project supervisor for review and
corrections. Necessary adjustments were made to improve clarity and relevance. This ensured
the instrument measured what it was intended to measure.
3.7 Reliability of the Instrument
Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha to determine internal consistency. The results
showed high reliability:
• Motivation strategies: α = 0.962
• Motivation & productivity: α = 0.967
• Intrinsic motivation: α = 0.972
All values exceeded the acceptable threshold of 0.70, indicating excellent reliability.
3.8 Procedure for Data Collection
Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were obtained
through questionnaires distributed via Google Forms after obtaining permission. Respondents
were assured of confidentiality.
Secondary data were gathered from textbooks, journals, and online materials. Data collection
lasted two weeks.
3.9 Method of Data Analysis
qualitative techniques to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship
between motivation and employee productivity at MTN Nigeria.
Quantitative Data
Quantitative data from the Likert-scale questions were analyzed using frequency counts,
percentages, and charts to summarize respondents’ opinions. The simple percentage
method was applied using the formula:
\text{Percentage (\%)} = \frac{\text{Frequency}}{\text{Total Respondents}} \times 100
For example, if 54 respondents agreed with a statement out of 108 respondents:
\text{Percentage} = \frac{54}{108} \times 100 = 50\%
In addition, the Chi-square (X²) test was used to test the research hypotheses at a 5% level of
significance. The formula for Chi-square is:
X^2 = \sum \frac{(Fo - Fe)^2}{Fe}
Where:
• X² = Chi-square value
• Fo = Observed frequency
• Fe = Expected frequency
• Ʃ = Summation
Decision Rule:
• If the calculated p-value < 0.05 → reject the null hypothesis (H₀)
• If the p-value ≥ 0.05 → accept H₀
• Alternatively, compare the calculated X² value to the critical value at the appropriate
degrees of freedom.
All quantitative data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software to ensure
accuracy, reliability, and clarity of results.
Qualitative Data
Qualitative data from open-ended questions were analyzed using content analysis, where
responses were grouped into themes related to motivation and productivity. This approach
allowed the researcher to capture insights that could not be quantified, providing a richer
understanding of employee perceptions.
Combining quantitative and qualitative data allowed for triangulation, which improved the
validity and robustness of the research findings (Cooper & Schindler, 2014). This approach
ensured that the study provided valid, reliable, and meaningful insights regarding the impact
of motivation on employee productivity at MTN Nigeria.
Data collected from the questionnaires were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative
techniques to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between motivation
and employee productivity at MTN Nigeria.
Quantitative data from the Likert-scale questions were analyzed using frequency counts,
percentages, and charts to summarize respondents’ opinions. The simple percentage method
was applied using the formula:
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒(%) =
𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 (100)
For example, if 54 respondents agreed with a statement out of 108 respondents:
54
108 (100) = 50%
In addition, the Chi-square (X²) test of independence was used to test the research hypotheses
at a 5% level of significance. The formula for Chi-square is:
χ² = ∑ (𝐹𝑜 − 𝐹𝑒)²
𝐹𝑒
Where: X² = Chi-square value
Fo = Observed frequency
Fe = Expected frequency
Ʃ = Summation
Degrees of Freedom is calculated as – (r – 1) * (c – 1). The r and c signify the number of
rows and the number of columns, respectively, in the observed frequency table.
Decision Rule: If the chi-square value (X²) is greater than the critical value at the appropriate
level of significance and degrees of freedom, the null hypothesis will be rejected and the
alternative accepted, and vice versa. The null hypothesis will also be rejected when the p-
value is less than the significance level (0.05).
All quantitative data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software to ensure
accuracy, reliability, and clarity of results.
Qualitative data from open-ended questions were analyzed using content analysis, where
responses were grouped into themes related to motivation and productivity. This approach
allowed the researcher to capture insights that could not be quantified, providing a richer
understanding of employee perceptions.
Combining quantitative and qualitative data allowed for triangulation, which improved the
validity and robustness of the research findings (Cooper & Schindler, 2014). This approach
ensured that the study provided valid, reliable, and meaningful insights regarding the impact
of motivation on employee productivity at MTN Nigeria.