CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Study Area

The study will be conducted in Masaba North Sub-County, Gesima Ward, located in Nyamira

County, Kenya. The area is be characterized by highland conditions with a bimodal rainfall

pattern and relatively fertile soils that support tea production. Tea farming the dominant

economic activity, providing livelihoods for the majority of small-scale farmers in the area

(Omondi et al., 2021). Gesima Ward lie between approximately 34°45′–34°55′ E longitude

and 0°35′–0°50′ S latitude, at an altitude ranging from 1,600 to 2,100 meters above sea level.

Mean annual temperatures will range between 16°C and 24°C, while average annual rainfall

range between 1,500 mm and 2,000 mm. These climatic conditions will historically favor tea

cultivation; however, increasing climate change have raised concerns regarding tea yields,

quality, and sustainability (IPCC, 2023). The topography will consist of undulating hills and

shallow valleys, Nitisols, which is be suitable for tea production due to their moderate to high

fertility (FAO, 2020). In addition to tea farming, households engage in subsistence food crop

production and small-scale livestock rearing, forming diversified rural livelihoods. These

characteristics will make Gesima Ward an appropriate location for assessing the socio-

economic implications of changing climatic conditions on small-scale tea farmers.

3.2 Study Design

The study will adopt a mixed-method research design, integrating both quantitative and

qualitative approaches. This design will be appropriate because it will allow the researcher to

triangulate findings and gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions

between climate change and smallholder tea farming systems (Creswell & Creswell, 2018;

Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2018). Quantitative methods will be used to assess perceived effects

of climate change on tea yields, quality, and farming practices, while qualitative methods will

provide in-depth insights into farmers’ adaptation strategies and socio-economic experiences.
The integration of these approaches will enhance the validity and reliability of the findings

(Denzin & Lincoln, 2018).

3.3 Study Population

The study population will comprise all small-scale tea farmers in Gesima Ward, Masaba

North Sub-County. These farmers will form the primary unit of analysis because they will be

directly affected by climate variability and will actively engage in adaptation practices

(Adhikari et al., 2022). In addition, key informants such as agricultural extension officers,

climate officers, KTDA field officers, and local administrators will be included in the study.

These respondents will be selected because of their technical knowledge, experience, and

roles in supporting tea farmers under changing climatic conditions.

3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Procedures

Sampling will involve selecting a representative subset of respondents from the target

population to enable generalization of the findings (Orodho, 2020). In this study, simple

random sampling will be used to select small-scale tea farmers, ensuring that each farmer will

have an equal chance of inclusion (Kumar, 2021). The sample size will be determined using

the Yamane (1967) formula at a 95% confidence level and a precision level of 9%, as shown

in Equation.

N
n ¿ 1+ N (e) 2

Based on this formula, a sample size of approximately 120 small-scale tea farmers will be

considered adequate for the study. Additionally, 20 key informants will be selected through
purposive sampling, as this technique will allow the selection of respondents with specialized

knowledge relevant to the study objectives (Palinkas et al., 2015; Etikan et al., 2016).

3.5 Piloting the Study

A pilot study will be conducted to pre-test the research instruments and ensure clarity,

reliability, and validity. Approximately 10% of the total sample size will be used for piloting

in a neighboring ward with similar agro-ecological characteristics (Van Teijlingen &

Hundley, 2021). The pilot study will help identify ambiguous questions, assess

appropriateness of response options, and improve the sequencing of questions. Necessary

revisions will be made before the actual data collection. Respondents involved in the pilot

study will be excluded from the final sample to minimize bias (Bryman, 2016).

3.6 Data Collection Procedures

In line with mixed-method research protocols, multiple data collection techniques will be

employed to allow triangulation of findings (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018). These

techniques will include document review, questionnaires, interviews, and field observation.

3.6.1 Review of Documents

Secondary data will be collected through review of peer-reviewed journals, government

reports, and institutional publications related to climate change and tea production. Historical

rainfall and temperature data covering the past 20 years will be obtained from the Kenya

Meteorological Department and other relevant agencies. These data will be used to analyze

trends in climatic patterns in Masaba North Sub-County and Gesima Ward (Wilks, 2019).
3.6.2 Questionnaire Administration

Structured questionnaires containing both closed-ended and open-ended questions will be

administered to the sampled small-scale tea farmers. Closed-ended questions will facilitate

quantitative analysis, while open-ended questions will allow respondents to express their

perceptions and experiences in detail (Flick, 2020).

3.6.3 Interview Schedule

Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with purposively selected key informants using

an interview guide. This method will allow in-depth exploration of institutional perspectives

on climate change impacts, adaptation strategies, and policy support mechanisms (Rubin &

Rubin, 2012).

3.6.4 Field Observation

Field observations will be carried out to complement questionnaire and interview data. The

researcher will observe farming practices, adaptation measures such as mulching and soil

conservation, and visible indicators of climate variability. Photographs will be taken to

document relevant observations, subject to ethical considerations (Angrosino, 2019).

3.7 Data Analysis

Data analysis will be conducted using both quantitative and qualitative techniques in line

with the study objectives. Quantitative data will be coded and analyzed using the Statistical

Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages,

and means will be generated and presented using tables, charts, and graphs (Field, 2018).

Qualitative data obtained from interviews and open-ended questionnaire responses will be

analyzed thematically. This will involve coding the data, identifying patterns, and organizing
themes aligned with the study objectives (Braun & Clarke, 2022). Rainfall and temperature

data will be analyzed using trend analysis techniques, including graphical representation and

descriptive statistics, to examine changes over the past 20 years (IPCC, 2023; Wilks, 2019).

3.8. Ethical Consideration

In research there is need to protect the research participants, develop a good relation and trust

in them and follows the right procedure in the data collection process (Martcoro et al., 2011).

Permission from the school postgraduate studies of Kisii University and the national council

of science and technology innovation (NACOSTI) will be sought before proceeding to the

field to collect data. Permission to the field will be sought from County Commissioner and

County Education offices. The consent of the respondents will be sought too and the data

collected from them will be treated with confidentiality.

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