CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

This study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The design was considered

appropriate because it enables the researcher to collect data directly from respondents on their

opinions, attitudes, and experiences regarding the factors influencing anti-social behaviour

among students of the University of Abuja. It also allows the researcher to study the variables in

their natural setting without manipulating them. According to John W. Creswell (2021), a

descriptive survey design is suitable for studies that seek to describe characteristics of a

population and examine relationships among variables through the collection of quantitative

data.

The descriptive survey research design was appropriate for this study because it facilitated the

collection of data from a representative sample of undergraduate students using a structured

questionnaire. The design also provided a basis for analyzing the influence of peer pressure,

family background, social media exposure, and institutional factors on anti-social behaviour. In

addition, it allowed the use of statistical tools such as frequencies, percentages, and mean scores

in analyzing the data and drawing valid conclusions from the findings.

3.2 Area of the Study

The study was carried out at the University of Abuja, located in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital

Territory (FCT), Nigeria. Established in 1988 by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the

university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across several faculties. The

institution has a diverse student population comprising individuals from different ethnic,

religious, and socio-economic backgrounds, thereby providing a suitable environment for

examining students' behavioural patterns.

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The University of Abuja was selected as the area of the study because it has a large

undergraduate population and has experienced increasing concerns relating to anti-social

behaviour among students, including examination malpractice, substance abuse, cybercrime, and

other forms of misconduct. The institution's multicultural nature and growing student enrolment

make it an appropriate setting for investigating the factors influencing anti-social behaviour

among undergraduate students.

3.3 Population of the Study

The population of this study comprised 55,000 undergraduate students of the University of Abuja

during the 2025/2026 academic session. Population refers to the entire group of individuals

possessing the characteristics relevant to a study from which a sample is drawn. According to

Uma Sekaran and Roger Bougie (2020), a population consists of all members of a defined group

that the researcher intends to investigate.

The undergraduate students were considered appropriate for this study because they constitute

the largest category of students within the university and are directly exposed to peer

interactions, family influences, social media usage, and institutional factors that may affect their

behaviour. The large population also ensured that a representative sample could be selected to

generate findings that adequately reflect the views and experiences of students regarding anti-

social behaviour within the University of Abuja.

3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique

The sample size for this study comprised 300 undergraduate students selected from the total

population of 55,000 undergraduate students of the University of Abuja. The sample size was

determined using the Taro Yamane (1967) formula for finite populations at a 5.76% (0.0576)

margin of error. The formula is expressed as:

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Therefore, a sample size of 300 respondents was adopted for the study. The sample size was

considered adequate to provide a representative view of the study population and to enhance the

reliability and generalizability of the findings. According to Uma Sekaran and Roger Bougie

(2020), an appropriate sample size improves the accuracy of research findings and enables valid

conclusions to be drawn about the target population.

A multi-stage sampling technique was employed in selecting the respondents. In the first stage,

faculties were selected using the purposive sampling technique to ensure adequate representation

of students from different academic disciplines. In the second stage, proportionate sampling was

used to allocate the sample across the selected faculties based on their respective student

populations. Finally, a simple random sampling technique was employed to select the individual

respondents from each faculty, thereby giving every undergraduate student an equal opportunity

of being selected and minimizing sampling bias.

3.5 Instrument for Data Collection

The major instrument used for data collection in this study was a structured questionnaire

designed by the researcher based on the objectives of the study and the reviewed literature. The

questionnaire was divided into two sections. Section A elicited information on the demographic

characteristics of the respondents, while Section B contained items relating to peer pressure,

family background, social media exposure, and anti-social behaviour among students.

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The questionnaire was designed using a five-point Likert scale of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree

(A), Undecided (UD), Disagree (D), and Strongly Disagree (SD). The use of a structured

questionnaire was considered appropriate because it enabled the researcher to obtain uniform

responses from a large number of respondents within a short period. According to John W.

Creswell (2021), questionnaires are suitable instruments for collecting quantitative data in survey

research because they facilitate objective analysis and comparison of responses.

3.6 Validity of the Instrument

The validity of the research instrument was established through face and content validity. The

draft questionnaire was presented to the research supervisor and two experts in educational

research and measurement and evaluation for critical examination. Their observations and

suggestions regarding the clarity, relevance, adequacy, and appropriateness of the questionnaire

items were incorporated before the final administration of the instrument.

The experts ensured that the questionnaire adequately covered all the variables of the study and

aligned with the research objectives and questions. Their recommendations helped to improve

the wording, organization, and content of the instrument, thereby ensuring that it measured what

it was intended to measure. According to Louis Cohen, Lawrence Manion, and Keith Morrison

(2018), an instrument possesses validity when it accurately measures the concepts it is designed

to assess.

3.7 Reliability of the Instrument

The reliability of the instrument was determined through a pilot study conducted among 30

undergraduate students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, who were not part of the main

study but possessed similar characteristics to the respondents. The pilot study was carried out to

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ascertain the consistency and dependability of the questionnaire before its administration to the

selected respondents.

The data obtained from the pilot study were analyzed using Cronbach's Alpha reliability

coefficient with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. An overall reliability

coefficient of 0.82 was obtained, indicating that the instrument was highly reliable for the study.

According to Uma Sekaran and Roger Bougie (2020), a reliability coefficient of 0.70 or above is

considered acceptable for social science research.

3.8 Method of Data Collection

The researcher personally administered the questionnaires to the selected respondents with the

assistance of two trained research assistants. Before administering the instrument, the

respondents were informed of the purpose of the study, and their consent was sought. They were

assured that the information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality and used solely

for academic purposes.

Copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the respondents within the selected faculties and

retrieved immediately after completion to ensure a high response rate and minimize loss of

questionnaires. The researcher also clarified issues where necessary to ensure that respondents

understood the questionnaire items before providing their responses.

3.9 Method of Data Analysis

The data collected for this study were coded, entered, and analyzed using the Statistical Package

for the Social Sciences (Version 20). Descriptive statistics, including frequency counts,

percentages, mean, and standard deviation, were used to analyze the demographic characteristics

of the respondents and answer the research questions. Frequency counts and percentages were

used to summarize the demographic data, while mean and standard deviation were used to

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determine respondents' opinions on the factors influencing anti-social behaviour among students

of the University of Abuja.

A decision mean of 3.00 was adopted as the criterion for accepting or rejecting each

questionnaire item. Mean scores of 3.00 and above were regarded as accepted, while mean

scores below 3.00 were regarded as rejected. The decision mean was mathematically determined

by calculating the average of the weights assigned to the five-point Likert scale as follows:

To test the research hypotheses, Multiple Linear Regression Analysis (MLRA) was employed at

the 0.05 level of significance. Multiple Linear Regression was considered appropriate because it

examines the simultaneous and individual influence of two or more independent variables on a

single dependent variable. In this study, the independent variables were peer pressure, family

background, and social media exposure, while anti-social behaviour among students served as

the dependent variable.

The regression model for the study is specified as:

Y = β0 + β1X1+β2X2+β3X3+ε

Where:

• Y = Anti-social behaviour among students (Dependent Variable)

• β₀ = Constant (Intercept)

• β₁ – β₃ = Regression coefficients

• X₁ = Peer pressure

• X₂ = Family background

• X₃ = Social media exposure

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The Coefficient of Determination (R2) was used to determine the proportion of variation in anti-

social behaviour explained by the combined independent variables. The F-statistic was used to

determine the overall significance of the regression model, while the t-statistics were used to

determine the individual contribution of each independent variable to the dependent variable.

The decision rule was to reject the null hypothesis where the p-value was less than or equal to

0.05 (p ≤ 0.05) and fail to reject the null hypothesis where the p-value was greater than 0.05 (p >

0.05). The results of the analyses were presented in tables and interpreted in line with the

research objectives and hypotheses