CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Chapter three dealt with the research method used, data collection methods, sampling
method and technique, the data collection process and how data was analyzed. It also provided
the analytical framework of the study by which the purposes of this study the research questions
were answered. For this work to be authentic and reproducible this research work explained all
the laid down procedures on how the data was collected and managed.
Research Design
Upon carefully examination of the research objectives and problem statement.
Descriptive research was the type of research approach that was considered as being convenient
for this research. Descriptive research can be described as either quantitative or qualitative. It can
involve collections of quantitative information that can be tabulated along a continuum in
numerical form, such as scores on a test or the number of times a person chooses to use a-certain
feature of a multimedia program, or it can describe categories of information such as gender or
patterns of interaction when using technology in a group situation. Descriptive research involves
gathering data that describe events and then organizes, tabulates, depicts, and describes the data
collection (Glass & Hopkins, 1984). It often uses visual aids such as graphs and charts to aid the
reader in understanding the data distribution. Because the human mind cannot extract the full
import of a large mass of raw data, descriptive statistics are very important in reducing the data
to manageable form. When in-depth, narrative descriptions of small numbers of cases are

involved, the research uses description as a tool to organize data into patterns that emerge during
analysis.
In this study, the descriptive research method was employed so as to identify the impact
of training and supervision on organizational performance of CPC. The researcher opted to use
this research method considering the objective to obtain first hand data from the respondents.
The descriptive method is advantageous for the researcher due to its flexibility; this method can
use either qualitative or quantitative data or both, giving the researcher greater options in
selecting the instrument for data-gathering. The research is using employees of CPC as
respondents to gather relevant data; the descriptive method is then appropriate as this can allow
the identification of the similarities and differences of the respondents answers.

Research method
Abili K (2009) describes quantitative research as involving measurement of variables and
the delivery of findings in numerical form in which research findings are described by text of
significance, confidence intervals, and mathematically demonstrated relationships. Quantitative
research has been used to measure how people feel, think or act in a particular way and it is a
research technique that seeks to quantify data and apply some statistical analysis. It is often
formalized and well-structured and data is usually obtained from large samples anything from
50 upwards (Tull & Hawkings, 1990). It also involves the use of structured questionnaires
usually incorporating mainly closed ended questions with set response (Miles & Huberman,
1994).

Sampling Technique
Considering the fact that the study covers such a vast area, not all the respondents can be
included in the study. It is thus significant to draw a sample from the population. Non-probability
methods were employed to select the sample for the study. In terms of the non-probability
method, the purposive sampling was selected which is a sampling technique characterized by a
deliberate effort to obtain representative samples through the inclusion of groups or typical areas
in a sample (Kerlinger, 1986). The researcher actively selects the most productive sample to
answer the research question as well as developing a framework of the variables that might
influence an individual's contribution and will be based on the researcher's practical knowledge
of the research area, the available literature and evidence from the study itself. The sample size
for the research was considered to be 70 employees from Cocoa Processing Company in Accra.
The total workforce of the company was currently about 333 employees therefore the sample
size of 70 was deem to be a fair representation of the total workforce.
Table 3.1

The composition of Workers at Cocoa Producing Company (CPC)

Total Workforce

Total

Permeant Staffs

281

Temporary Staffs

52

Grand total

333

Target Population

Cooper and Schindler (2001) defined population as the total collection of

elements about which we wish to make some inferences. They indicated that
population relates to all members or elements in a given area which conform to
the limits within which the research findings are applicable. Target population
is all the members of a specified group to which the investigation relates from
which a sample is chosen for the study. It is a recognized fact that the
reliability and the accuracy of a survey is greatly determined by the sample size
taken out of the sample population. All employees of Cocoa Processing Company in
Accra comprising engineers, office clerks, account clerks, computer operators, secretaries,
drivers, machine operators, security officers and other staffs of the company.

Source of Data Collection

The study made use of primary data. Primary data refers to data that are specifically
collected for a particular research project and are more often tailored to meet the exact needs of
the researcher.
The primary data for this research was gathered through questionnaires for permanent
and casual workers of CPC who were present at the time of the study. The questionnaire was
structured in a simple straight forward and consistent with the objectives of the research. The
reasons for using this method was that it was flexible and faster way of obtain information. Non
response is also low and supervision and control of responses is higher.

Data Collection Instrument

Questionnaires as a research instrument, was used to collect the
primary data. The questionnaire was generated based on the objectives of the
study. The researcher administered the questionnaires personally to the
respondents to elicit the necessary data. The items of the questionnaires were
mainly close- ended questionnaires.
The questionnaire was the main research instrument used in collecting
the data for the study in order to achieve the specific objectives, and taking into
consideration the sample size. For an easy understanding and reading, the
questionnaire was designed into two parts. The first part of the questionnaire
took consideration in the demographic factor of the respondents. The second
part of the questionnaire required the respondent to rate their understanding
on the effect of training and supervision on the performance of CPC. The items
on the questionnaire were closed ended-questions making it easier for
respondents to understand and answer. Besides, it facilitated interpretation of
data by standardizing alternative responses. A Likert scale-typed questionnaire
was used with responses ranging from 1 to 5. A lower score on the scale

indicates a high level agreement with an opinion while a higher score indicates
disagreement.

Data Analysis
The data will be quantitatively presented in tables. Descriptive statistics
(mean, standard deviations and median) are employed to analyze the collected
data. The data collected was coded into the computer and edited to ensure consistency and
checked for any omission, non-responses, validity and reliability of the responses. The software
used for these analyses is Statistical Package for Social Science software (SPSS version 17) for
the statistical analysis of the data and Microsoft Excel 2007.