RESEARCH METHODS

BY
PROF. MARGARET MWENJE
DEFINITION OF RESEARCH METHODS IN MFT
• It is an enquiry or a critical examination of issues related to Marriage
& Family Therapy
• It involves a critical analysis of certain MFT facts and reporting the
findings of such findings
• It is about searching for new knowledge/ new understanding in
issues related to Marriage & Family Therapy
PURPOSE OF RESEARCH IN MFT
• To discover new knowledge about the institution of marriage and the family setup.
For example the role of alcohol abuse in gender based violence in Nairobi County, Kenya
• Helps to discover and appreciate new facts about MFT
• To be able to describe a certain phenomenon and from the description, new
knowledge is generated. For example, The effect of alcohol abuse on the parental role of
guiding their children, in Nairobi County. What is the prevalence of alcohol abuse among
parents in Nairobi County?. What intervention measures are available to counter alcohol
abuse among parents in Nairobi County?
• To enable prediction of future occurrence of the phenomenon being studied based
on the findings. For example, If more parents are involved in alcohol abuse, we are likely
to have more children dropping out of school, poor academic performance, increased
crime, decreased productivity, etc..
CONT’ OF PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
• Research helps to explain factors that contribute to the occurrence of a certain
phenomenon. For example, discovering the factors that contribute to gender based
violence in Nairobi County Kenya.
• To enable control. For example after discovering that the prevalence of drug abuse is
high and the main contributor is lack of awareness about its effects on the family, then we
can recommend intervention programs on demand and supply of alcohol and other drugs,
setting up rehabilitation programs to help those already addicted.
• Research helps to relate, confirm or validate existing theories in MFT, For
example, Adlerian Family Therapy explains how negative family relations and mistaken
goals contribute to some behaviors like domestic violence and other conflicts, a
researcher doing this study can confirm what Adlerian contends
SOURCES OF INFORMATION/KNOWLEDGE DURING
RESEARCH
• Experience. The researcher can interact with people who work with families and
couples about critical research areas in MFT. The researcher can also interview
other people in the community about the problems and areas of concern that
may need to be researched on. For example the teachers, community leaders,
local administration, etc..
• Culture and Traditions. Understanding the culture can help us to gain knowledge
on the rules, norms, values, etc.. This can guide the researcher in exploring the
role of such traditions in MFT
• Authority in the area being studied. Professionals/specialists in the area of
Marriage & Family Therapy are authority figures on matters touching on MFT.
They can guide on critical areas that have been under researched
• Researchers Personal Experience: The researcher may decide to research on a
certain phenomenon based on his personal observation.
IMPORTANT TERMS USED IN RESEARCH
1. POPULATION
• This is an entire group of people having common observable
characteristics. If the research is on the role of parental involvement
in academic achievement among high school students in Nairobi
County, Kenya. The population will be all high school students in
Nairobi, all high schools in Nairobi, all education administrators in
Nairobi, etc.. (It is the population that will be involved in the research)
 SAMPLE

• This is a smaller group of people obtained from the target population.

• The selected sample must be a representation of the population.
• The sample can be called the subjects, the respondents or the
interviewees. Example of sample is public schools in Nairobi (Leaving out
private), Form 3 and Form 4 students (leaving out form 1 and 2), Selected
wards in Nairobi, Principals and school counselors (Instead of involving
ALL teachers in the schools)
• Selecting a sample is done through a process called sampling
 SAMPLING

• Sampling is the process of selecting a number of individuals for the

study in such a way that the individuals selected represent the large
group from which they have been selected
• The purpose of sampling is to get a representative group which will
enable the researcher to gain information about the population
• The methods used to get a sample from the population are called
sampling techniques or sampling procedures
 TYPES OF SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

➢ PROBAILITY SAMPLING
• The goal of probability sampling is to select a reasonable number of
subjects that represent the whole population
• It is a good sampling method because it helps to provide information
about groups that are too large to study
• It helps to capture in a small group the variations or characteristics
that exist in the target population
TYPES OF PROBABILITY SAMPLING
1. SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING
• This involves giving a number to every member of the population ,
placing the numbers in a container and then picking any number at
random
• The researcher can also use a table of random numbers to pick the
sample, random numbers can also be generated by use of computer
programs
• Random sampling helps to obtain a representative sample that can
be generalized to the general population
CONT’ ON TYPES OF PROBABILITY SAMPLING
2. SYSTEMATIC RANDOM SAMPLING
• The researcher generates a list of all the members in the population
and then decides on the sampling interval of the members that have
similar characteristics, e.g.. every tenth member
CONT’ ON TYPES OF SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
• Purposive sampling
Purposive sampling allows the researcher to use members that have
the required information with respect to the objectives of the study.
E.g.. all married couples incase the study is about assessing the role of
effective communication in marriage …………
 SNOWBALL SAMPLING

• This involves identifying the initial member or members with the

desired characteristics.
• The few identified members name the others who have the same
characteristics until the researcher gets the desired number of
members
• For example if the researcher is doing research on issues touching on HIV/AIDS
and does not know people who can make a good sample, he/she can contact
one couple that is known and that one couple will introduce another and this
continues until the researcher gets enough sample for the study
NON PROBABILITY SAMPLING

• It is done by the researcher targeting specific groups in full

knowledge that it does not represent the wider population
VARIABLES

This is a measurable characteristic of the subjects being studied. For

example in trying to establish the Role of Parental involvement in
Academic Achievement Among High School Students. The variables are
PARENTAL and ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.
TYPES OF VARIABLES
Independent variable
• This is a variable that a researcher manipulates in order to determine its
effect or influence on another.
For example Role of Parental involvement in Academic Achievement Among High
School Students. Parental Involvement is the independent variable
For example in trying to establish the
Dependent variable
• Dependent variable attempts to indicate or explain the total influence
arising from the independent variable
• For example, Role of Parental involvement in Academic Achievement Among
High School Students. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT is the dependent variable
CONT’ OF IMPORTANT TERMS IN RESEARCH
DATA
• This refers to the information the researcher gathers during the study.
• There are two types of data:
Primary Data
This is data collected from the field after interviewing the subjects
Secondary Data
This is data or information collected or obtained from relevant books,
journals or articles related to the area of study
CONT’ OF IMPORTANT TERMS IN RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES
This is a desired end or outcome. For example if the study is about
establishing the impact of alcohol abuse in gender based violence in Nairobi
County, Kenya The objectives maybe:
1. To establish the prevalence of gender based violence in Nairobi County,
Kenya
2. To find out the risk factors contributing to Gender based violence in
Nairobi County, Kenya.
3. To determine the impact of alcohol abuse in Gender based violence in
Nairobi County
4. To find out the measures that need to be put in place to mitigate gender
based violence
LITERATURE REVIEW

• Literature review involves systematic identification, location and

analysis of documents containing information related to the
area/topic being researched.
 PURPOSE OF LITERATURE REVIEW

• It helps the researcher to understand what has already been done in

his/her area of interest
• To avoid unnecessary and unintentional duplication of what has already
been done
• It forms the framework within which the findings of the current research
are to be interpreted. For example, the researcher will be able to
determine whether the findings agrees or disagrees with what is
presented in the literature about past studies
• It helps the researcher to familiarize himself/her self with the existing
body of knowledge
CONT’ OF THE PURPOSE OF LITERATURE
REVIEW
• It helps the researcher to understand the procedures, strategies and
measuring instruments that have been found useful in investigating
the research problem. This helps the researcher to know what has
worked and what has not worked so as to avoid mistakes that have
been made by other researchers
• The literature review may suggest other research approaches that
the researcher may find useful in carrying out the current study
• Literature review helps to stimulate new ideas that may be helpful
 STEPS IN CARRYING OUT LITERATURE REVIEW

• Familiarize yourself with the library

• Make a list of key phrases or words that can guide you in the search for
literature. For example, if the study is about challenges facing ex-offenders
as they reintegrate back in the society. The key phrases or words may be;
Reintegration of ex-offenders in the society; Challenges of reintegration
among ex-offenders, etc..
• Using the phrases and key words, trace the sources of literature
• Summarize the references on a piece of paper
• Once you access the references which might be books, articles, etc.
analyze, organize and write the information in an orderly manner
• The organization and presentation of the information can be guided by the objectives of
the study. For example if objective number one is, To identify the challenges facing ex-
offenders as they reintegrate; then the researcher can present literature related to this
objective. Objective two maybe to, To establish how the ex-offenders try to cope with the
challenges, then the researcher presents the literature related to this objectives.
• As suggested above, the objectives will form the sub-topics of the literature review
• Literature review can be organized in a way that the general information is covered first
and then the researcher narrows it down to the research problem . The researcher can
present the literature on how the situation is globally, Regionally, Nationally, then locally
(the area where the research is to be carried out)
• Literature review should be related to the current study
 SOURCES OF LITERATURE REVIEW

Scholarly Journals
• These are a collection of researched work by other researchers or scholars. They can be on line
journals or published hard copies. Properly referenced journal articles have the author’s name,
year of publication, title of the article and the volume number
Dissertations and Thesis
• This is research work done by masters or PhD students and they may contain great information
that can help the researcher to understand more about the area being researched
Books
• Books containing information related to the area being researched can be found in the library
Government Documents
• These may include policy documents, research reports owned by the government, situational
analysis reports, etc.
CONT’ OF SOURCES OF LITERATURE
References Quoted in Books
• There are references given at the back of the books. These references may reveal other important
sources of relevant information
Papers Presented in Conferences
• These may be topical papers that can provide useful information related to the area being
researched
Periodicals
• These include journals, magazines or local newspapers. These may provide useful information to
the researcher
Internet
• This involves browsing the web to get literature. This usually provide latest journals, papers, etc..
E-Learning materials like books can also be browsed in the web
9. PROBLEM STATEMENT
This is a statement that clearly spells out the purpose of the study. The
statement justifies the study, indicating the gap that study will seek to
fill.
CONT’ OF IMPORTANT TERMS IN RESEARCH
RESEARCH PROBLEM
• This refers to the research topic or the problem the researcher will be
trying to explore during the study
WHERE TO START WHEN UNDERTAKING
RESEARCH
STEPS OF IDENTIFYING OF CHOSING A RESEARCH PROBLEM
1. Select a broad area of interest. For example, alcohol & Drug Abuse
in Kenya
2. Narrow down the broad area to a specific problem. For example
prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse among high school students
in Nyeri County, Kenya
HOW TO IDENTIFY A PROBLEM FROM THE
BROAD AREA
1. Use an existing theory. For example, social learning theory explains the
determinants of behaviors like alcohol and drug abuse. Using this theory,
the researcher may want to come up with a research problem that
addresses determinants of alcohol and drug abuse.
2. Existing literature can help to guide the researcher in picking a research
problem
3. Discussion with experts. These are people who understand the problem
better and can guide the researcher in coming up with a good relevant
research topic
4. Previous research studies. Researchers usually give recommendations
for further research and the current researcher can be guided by such
recommendations in coming up with a research topic.
HOW TO IDENTIFY A RESEARCH PROBLEM
FROM THE BROAD AREA
5. Media sometimes may highlight issues that may be of interest to the
general public. For example, the issue of corruption that have been
highlighted by media can form a good research problem, like, determinants
of corruption in Kenya, etc.
6. Replication of previous studies that have been undertaken at a different
time or in a different region. For example, maybe a study on determinants of
corruption was carried out in UK, the Kenyan researcher may replicate the
same to see whether the same determinants cuts across
7. Personal experiences can also help to form a research problem. The
researcher may have witnessed a specific problem from the general area and
this can help to formulate a problem.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD RESEARCH
PROBLEM
1. It is stated clearly and captures the readers’ interest
2. The problem/topic is researchable
3. It clearly indicate the scope or the area of study. For example,
Prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse in Nyeri County
Kenya
4. It states the purpose of the study. For example, To establish the
prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse………
5. It should clearly indicate that its going to add new knowledge
TYPES OF RESEARCH
1. Descriptive Research
• Descriptive research aims at describing reality
• It seeks to provide a picture or account of what exists, e.g.. The
prevalence of alcohol among secondary school students,
• The findings of descriptive research are summarized in numbers,
percentages, or other statistics (Quantitative Method)
• In qualitative analysis, the findings for descriptive research are
described in details
2. Predictive Research
• Predictive research focuses on making predictions or predictions of what is likely
to occur in future, e.g. if there is rising insecurity in the country, we can try to
predict it impact of economic development, -Topic- What is effect of rising
insecurity on economic development’
• Another example is if there is insecurity in a neighboring country, we can try to
predict the impact on our national security, e.g.. What is the effect of the
political unrest in Somalia on the national security in Kenya?
3. Explanatory Research
• Explanatory research involves explanation of why or how something occurred.
• It goes beyond description by trying to find the causes of some phenomenon
• Example, What factors contribute to widespread alcohol and drug abuse among
young people? What factors contribute to the rising crime rate in the country?
What cultural factors contribute to insecurity in Northern part of Kenya?
4. Evaluation Research
• Evaluation research focuses on evaluation or research of social
policies, social intervention programs, etc.
• Evaluation research can be done to determine whether a program
has the desired outcomes. For example a research may be done to
find out if the prison rehabilitation program hardens criminals
• The findings of the evaluation program can be used to improve the
program
6. Applied Research
• Applied research is designed to focus on scientific research tools on
practical real world problem identified by the researcher with some
practical outcome in mind
• Applied research aims at making recommendations about programs
or policies that might be implemented. E.g.. The impact of drug
abuse on discipline among secondary school students.
7. Action Research
• Action research is done with a primary intension of solving a specific,
immediate and concrete problem in a local setting
• For example, investigating ways of overcoming water shortage in a
certain geographical region
• It aims at identifying a solution to a given problem
8. CROSS-SECTIONAL RESEARCH
• Cross-sectional research involves using different groups of
people who differ in the variable of interest but share other
characteristics, such as socioeconomic status, educational
background, and ethnicity.
• A cross sectional study, takes a snapshot of a population at a
certain time, allowing conclusions about phenomena across a
wide population to be drawn.
• An example of a cross-sectional study would be a study looking
at the prevalence of domestic violence in a population
CONT’ OF CROSS SECTIONAL METHOD
• A cross-sectional study is an observational study that involves the
analysis of data collected from a population, or a representative
subset, at one specific point in time.
• The advantages of cross-sectional study include: Used to prove
and/or disprove assumptions.
• 9. MIXED RESEARCH DESIGN
Mixed methods research is a methodology for
conducting research that involves collecting, analyzing and
integrating quantitative (e.g.., experiments, surveys) and
qualitative (e.g.., focus groups, interviews) research.
MIXED METHODS RESEARCH DESIGNS
• Basic Characteristics
• Design can be based on either or both perspectives.
• Research problems can become research questions and/or
hypotheses based on prior literature, knowledge, experience, or the
research process.
• Sample sizes vary based on methods used.
• Data collection can involve any technique available to researchers.
• Interpretation is continual and can influence stages in the research
process.
WHY USE MIXED METHODS?

• To overcome the limitations of a single design. A detailed answer involves:

• To explain and interpret.
• To explore a phenomenon.
• To develop and test a new instrument.
• To complement the strengths of a single design.
• To overcome the weaknesses of a single design.
• To address a question at different levels.
• To address a theoretical perspective at different levels.
STRENGTH & WEAKNESSES OF MIXED DESIGNS
• What are some strengths?
• Can be easy to describe and to report.
• Can be useful when unexpected results arise from a prior study.
• Can help generalize, to a degree, qualitative data.
• Helpful in designing and validating an instrument.
• Can position research in a transformative framework.
• What are some weaknesses?
• Time required.
• Resolving discrepancies between different types of data.
• Some designs generate unequal evidence.
• Can be difficult to decide when to proceed in sequential designs.
BROAD CLASSIFICATIONS OR CATEGORIES OF TYPES OF RESEARCH

• A: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
• Qualitative research design involves data in form of
words, pictures, descriptions or narratives
• In qualitative research, data is presented in word, and
descriptions rather than in numerical statistics
• The qualitative research permits the researcher to
beyond the statistical results usually reported in
quantitative research
• Qualitative research is also advantageous because it helps to explain human
behaviors which could be hard to explain in quantitatively. E.g.. it would be
difficult to study human emotions and attitudes using quantitative research but
it is possible to study these behaviors using qualitative method
• The primary aim of qualitative research is to develop an understanding of how
the world is constructed
• Qualitative researchers believes in a social, personal and a relational world that
is complex, layered and can be viewed from different perspectives
QUANTITIVE RESEARCH DESIGN

• Quantitative research design involves numerical and quantifiable data

• Quantitative Research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating

numerical data or data that can be transformed into usable statistics.
• Quantitative Research uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover
patterns in research. Quantitative data collection methods are much more
structured than Qualitative data collection methods. Quantitative data collection
methods include various forms of surveys – online surveys, paper surveys,
mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews,
longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic
observations
Difference between quantitative research and
qualitative research
• Quantitative data is designed to collect cold, hard facts.
• Numbers. Quantitative data is structured and statistical. It
• provides support when you need to draw general conclusions
• from your research.

• Qualitative data collects information that seeks to describe a

• topic more than measure it. Think of impressions, opinions, and views. A qualitative survey is less
structured:
• It seeks to delve deep into the topic at hand to gain information about people’s motivations,
thinking, and attitudes.
• While this brings depth of understanding to your research questions, it also makes the
results harder to analyze.
RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

• Research instruments are the tools that are used to collect necessary information
• In social sciences, most of the instruments used includes:
A. QUESTIONNAIRES
• These are structured question used to collect information about the population
• Development of questionnaires is guided by the objectives of the study
• The questions in the questionnaires can be closed ended, e.g.. what is your gender?,
• Questions may also be open ended, e.g.. What challenges have you been facing as you
reintegrate back in the society? Questions may also be in Matrix like Likert type scale
e.g.. These are questions that have the same set of response categories and the
respondent is supposed to chose one category. E.G. How beneficial is the rehabilitation
program? Agree--, Strongly Agree—Disagree---
 WAYS OF ADMINISTERING QUESTIONNAIRES
✓ SELF ADMINISTRATION
• In self administration the respondents are asked to complete the questionnaires themselves
✓ RESEARCHER ADMINISTERS THE QUESTIONNAIRE
• The researcher fills the questionnaire as he/she interviews the respondents
• The questions are read out the researcher writes down the responses
✓ USE OF INTERNET
• Respondents access the questionnaire in the email, fills the answers and emails back to the
researcher
• ADVANTAGES OF USING QUESTIONNAIRES
• The researcher is able to interview many respondents at once especially the self administered
questions
• DISADVANTAGES OF USING QUESTIONNAIRES
• They may leave out important information required in the study
• The respondents may discard the questionnaire making it hard to get enough responses
B. INTERVIEWS

• This is an oral administration of a questionnaire or an interview

schedule
• Interviews are done on face to face style
• Avoid interrogation style that may intimidate the respondents
• It requires maximum co-operation from the respondents; this can be
achieved by the researcher first establishing a friendly relationship
with the respondents
• The interviewer must be friendly and interact with respondents as
equals
ADVANTAGES OF INTERVIEWS

• They provide in-depth information which may be difficult to get

through questionnaires
• The interviewer has an opportunity to clarify the questions that may
not be clear or which might be confusing, therefore getting the
relevant information from the respondents
• The interviewer can get more information by using probing questions
• Interviews are more flexible than questionnaires because the
interviewer can adapt to the situation and get as much information
as possible
DISADVANTAGES OF INTERVIEWS

• Interviews are more expensive because the researcher will have to travel to
meet with the respondents
• Interviews require the researcher to have good communication and
interpersonal skills in order to get the required information
• Interviews are time consuming therefore making the researcher to use a smaller
sample
• Responses may be influenced by the respondents’ reaction to the interviewer.
E.g. an interviewer who appears affluent going to a very poor community may
not be received very well and this may affect the responses given to him/her
C. STANDARDIZED TESTS
• These are tests that have consistency and uniform procedures for
administering, scoring, and interpretation
D. FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION

• The researcher gets a group of respondents with similar

characteristics
• The researcher guides the discussion with an intension of getting
specific information from the respondents
OBSERVATIONAL CHECKLIST

• The researcher develops a list of behaviors to be observed

• During the data collection, he checks off the behaviors as they occur
VALIDITY OF RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
• Validity is the extent to which an instrument measures what it
is supposed to measure and performs as it is designed to
perform.
• On a test with high validity the items will be closely linked to
the test's intended focus.
• It is rare, if nearly impossible, that an instrument be
100% valid, so validity is generally measured in degrees.
STATING THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
• The purpose of the study is presented in one or two sentences.
• The purpose of the study should be drawn from the research topic
• It’s a brief statement on the researcher’s intention
• The purpose of the study is the main focus of the study.
For example, if the topic is “Influence of drug abuse on academic performance
among high school students in Nyeri County Kenya” “The purpose of the study is to
establish the Influence of drug abuse on academic performance among high school
students in Nyeri County Kenya”
The purpose of the study should indicate the dependent and independent
variables. In this case the variables are Drug abuse (Independent) and Academic
Performance (Dependent)
STATING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
• The objectives of the study indicates the main focus/the answers the
researcher would be trying to research for in order to address the
research problem.
• For example, for the research topic “Influence of drug abuse on
academic performance among high school students in Nyeri County
Kenya”. This can be the main objective of the study. It can be stated as
“The main objective of this study is to establish the influence of drug
abuse on academic performance among high school students in Nyeri
County, Kenya.
Cont.’ Stating Objectives
Specific objectives can be:
1. To determine the prevalence of drug abuse among high school
students in Nyeri County
2. To investigate the factors contributing to drug abuse among high
school students in Nyeri County
3. To determine what should be done to mitigate drug abuse among
high school students in Nyeri County
FORMULATING RESEARCH QUESTIONS
• Research questions help to guide the researcher to collect the relevant data
• Research questions are developed from the objectives of the study. For example,
1. To determine the prevalence of drug abuse among high school students in Nyeri
County (What is the prevalence of drug abuse among high school students in Nyeri
County?)
2. To investigate the factors contributing to drug abuse among high school students
in Nyeri County (What factors contribute to drug abuse among high school students
in Nyeri County?)
3. To determine what should be done to mitigate drug abuse among high school
students in Nyeri County (What should be done to mitigate drug abuse among high
high school students in Nyeri County?)
• The research questions are used to develop questionnaires for data collection.
FORMULATING HYPOTHESIS
• A hypothesis is the researchers’ prediction about the outcomes of
the research.
• A hypothesis can be based on previous research, theories, personal
observation or personal experiences
• During the actual study, the researcher will collect information to
either approve or disapprove the stated hypotheses.
• The hypotheses should be related to the objectives of the study,
especially the main objective.
EXAMPLES OF HYPOTHESES
• Study topic: Effects of drug abuse on academic performance among
high school students in Nyeri County, Kenya.
• Hypothesis 1: There is no relationship between drug abuse and
academic performance among high school students in Nyeri County
• Hypothesis 2. There is a relationship between drug abuse and
academic performance among high school students in Nyeri
TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS
1. NULL HYPOTHESIS
A null hypotheses states that no relationship exist between two variables.
Example of a Null Hypotheses:
• There is no relationship between drug abuse and academic performance
among high school students in Nyeri County
2. Alternative Non Directional Hypotheses (Research Hypotheses)
It states that there is a relationship between the variables but the researcher
does not commit to the actual relationship until the study is done. Example
of an alternative non directional hypotheses
• There is a relationship between drug abuse and academic performance
among high school students in Nyeri County
CONT’ TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS
3. ALTERNATIVE DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESES
Alternative directional hypotheses specifies the nature of the
relationship between different variables. Example of alternative
directional hypotheses:
• There is a relationship between high drug abuse consumption and
academic performance among high school students in Nyeri County
JUSTIFICATION AND ASSUMPTIONS OF THE
STUDY
• In the justification of the study, the researcher, explains why it is
important to undertake the study. The researcher will be answering
the question “Why is it important to undertake the study”
• For Example: The study on influence of drug abuse on academic
performance among high school students is important because
studies done elsewhere indicate that drug abuse affect academic
performance and it would be essential to find out whether the same
applies in Nyeri. A study done by NACADA in 2012, established that
there is a high prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse in Nyeri
County. The current study will help to establish whether students in
high schools abuse drugs and whether this has any impact in their
academic performance.
SIGNAFICANCE OF THE STUDY
• In the significance of the study, the researcher explains who is likely
to benefit from the study.
• The researcher answers question: Who will benefit from this study?
Example of the significance of the study: The results from the study on
the influence of drug abuse on academic performance among high
school students will be useful to the Ministry of Education because the
results will help to inform policy formulation on mitigation of drug
abuse among high school students. The results from the study will
benefit stakeholders like parents, teachers, and pupils. They will be able
to understand the impact of drug abuse on academic performance so
that they can take relevant measures to curb the same.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN RESEARCH
✓ Obtain introduction letter from the university
✓ Seek permission to do research from relevant authorities
✓ Seek consent from the participants (Respondents). A respondent
can withdraw at any time if he/she does not want to continue
✓ Use no identifiable data in report writing
✓ Avoid plagiarism, it is unethical
✓ Honor confidentiality
✓ Do no harm to the respondents; emotional, psychological, etc
✓ Acknowledge/cite the source of information used

HOW TO WRITE CHAPTER TWO OF THE PROPOSAL

✓ The heading of the chapter is: Literature Review
 ✓ Present the introduction of the chapter: What is contained in the
chapter (Review of related literature, theoretical framework,
conceptual framework & Chapter Summary)
✓ Literature review need to be guided by the objectives of the
study: Summarize each objective to form a sub-heading for
literature review
✓ Remember to always use the V-shape (how the situation is
globally, regionally and then locally)
HOW TO PRESENT CHAPTER THREE OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
✓ The heading of the chapter is Research Methodology
✓ Introduce the chapter (The sub-headings contained in the
chapter)
✓ Present the research design (What kind of research will you use
for your research? Refer to types of research and you have to
justify why the type you have chosen is suitable for your research
✓ Present the population, sample & Sampling method you will use,
data collection, instruments that will be used to collect data, their
validity, how data will be analyzed (Maybe through graphs, write-
up guided by the objectives, pie-charts, etc)
✓ Present ethical considerations for your study