CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
This chapter describes the methods that were used to carry out the study on the challenges facing the
child protection system in Nyaribari Chache Constituency, Kisii Central. It outlines the research design,
study area, target population, sample size, sampling techniques, data collection methods, data analysis
procedures, and ethical considerations.
3.2 Research Design
The study adopted a mixed methods research design.
A mixed methods design combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches, making it suitable for
this study because it enabled the researcher to:
Describe the current state of the child protection system
Collect numerical data on the extent of challenges
Obtain in-depth information from key stakeholders
Triangulate findings for greater validity and reliability
The quantitative approach involved structured questionnaires, while the qualitative approach involved
interviews with key informants.
3.3 Study Area
The study was conducted in Nyaribari Chache Constituency, located in Kisii Central, Kenya.
The area is characterized by:
High population density
Mixed economic activities such as farming and small-scale businesses
Social challenges including poverty, unemployment, and family instability
The constituency has several institutions involved in child protection, including:
Department of Children Services
Local administration (chiefs and assistant chiefs)
Police stations
Schools and health facilities
Community-based organizations
The area was selected because it presents significant child protection concerns, making it appropriate
for the study.
3.4 Target Population
The target population refers to the group of individuals from whom the researcher intended to collect
data.
The study targeted stakeholders involved in child protection within Nyaribari Chache Constituency,
including:
Children officers
Police officers
Chiefs and assistant chiefs
Teachers
Health workers
NGO representatives
Parents/guardians
Community members
These groups were selected because they have direct or indirect involvement in child protection issues.
3.5 Sample Size
A sample is a subset of the population selected to represent the entire population.
The study used a sample size of approximately 80 respondents, distributed as follows:
Children officers – 5
Police officers – 10
Chiefs and assistant chiefs – 10
Teachers – 15
Health workers – 10
NGO representatives – 5
Parents/guardians and community members – 25
This sample size was considered adequate to provide reliable and diverse information while remaining
manageable.
3.6 Sampling Techniques
The study used a combination of purposive sampling and simple random sampling.
3.6.1 Purposive Sampling
Purposive sampling was used to select key informants such as:
Children officers
Police officers
Chiefs and assistant chiefs
NGO representatives
These respondents were selected based on their knowledge and experience in child protection.
3.6.2 Simple Random Sampling
Simple random sampling was used to select:
Teachers
Parents/guardians
Community members
This ensured that each individual had an equal chance of being selected, reducing bias.
3.7 Data Collection Methods
The study used both primary and secondary data.
3.7.1 Primary Data Collection
a) Questionnaires
Administered to teachers, parents, and community members
Contained both open-ended and closed-ended questions
Enabled collection of quantitative data
b) Interviews
Conducted with key informants such as children officers, police officers, and chiefs
Provided in-depth qualitative information
3.7.2 Secondary Data Collection
Secondary data was obtained from:
Government reports
Policy documents (e.g., Children Act)
Academic journals and books
NGO publications
3.8 Data Collection Instruments
The main instruments used were:
Questionnaires
Interview guides
These instruments were designed in line with the study objectives.
3.9 Validity and Reliability of Instruments
3.9.1 Validity
Validity refers to the accuracy of the instruments.
It was ensured through:
Review by the research supervisor
Alignment with research objectives
Conducting a pilot study
3.9.2 Reliability
Reliability refers to consistency of the instruments.
It was ensured through:
Pre-testing the instruments
Revising ambiguous questions
Using consistent data collection procedures
3.10 Data Analysis
Data analysis involved both quantitative and qualitative methods.
3.10.1 Quantitative Data Analysis
Quantitative data collected through questionnaires was coded and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
The analysis included:
Frequencies and Percentages
These were used to summarize responses and present data in tables for easy interpretation.
Measures of Central Tendency, including:
a) Mean (Average)
The mean was used to determine the average response from participants. It was especially useful in
analyzing Likert-scale questions (e.g., rating severity of challenges).
It was calculated by summing all values and dividing by the total number of responses.
b) Median
The median was used to identify the middle value in an ordered dataset. It helped reduce the influence
of extreme values and provided a more accurate central value where responses varied widely.
c) Mode
The mode was used to identify the most frequently occurring response. It helped determine the most
common opinions among respondents regarding challenges facing the child protection system.
These measures helped in identifying patterns, trends, and general responses from participants.
3.10.2 Qualitative Data Analysis
Qualitative data from interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis:
Data was organized into themes
Similar responses were grouped together
Key patterns and insights were identified
Findings were presented in descriptive and narrative form.
3.10.3 Integration of Data
Findings from both quantitative and qualitative data were integrated during interpretation to provide a
comprehensive understanding of the study.
3.11 Ethical Considerations
The study observed the following ethical principles:
Informed consent: Participants were informed about the purpose of the study
Confidentiality: Personal information was kept private
Voluntary participation: Participants were free to withdraw at any time
Permission: Approval was obtained from relevant authorities
Special care was taken when dealing with sensitive child protection issues.
3.12 Summary of the Chapter
This chapter has outlined the methodology used in the study. It described the mixed methods research
design, study area, target population, sample size, sampling techniques, data collection methods, and
data analysis procedures.
The inclusion of mean, median, and mode strengthened the quantitative analysis, while qualitative
methods provided deeper insights into the challenges facing the child protection system in Nyaribari
Chache Constituency.