chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
Research methodology
3.1
INTRODUCTION
This chapter deals with the research methodology of the study, including the research design, setting, population, sample and data-collection instrument.
3.2
RESEARCH DESIGN
Polit and Hungler (1999:155) describe the research design as a blueprint, or outline, for conducting the study in such a way that maximum control will be exercised over factors that could interfere with the validity of the research results. The research design is the researcher’s overall plan for obtaining answers to the research questions guiding the study. Burns and Grove (2001:223) state that designing a study helps researchers to plan and implement the study in a way that will help them obtain the intended results, thus increasing the chances of obtaining information that could be associated with the real situation. This study used a quantitative exploratory descriptive design to identify, analyse and describe factors contributing to adolescent mothers’ non-utilisation of contraceptives to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
The HBM was used as a framework for
collecting data in the Piet Retief (Mkhondo) area of the RSA. The identified factors could then be categorised into individual perceptions, contributing factors and variables affecting the likelihood of adolescent women initiating and maintaining actions to use contraceptives effectively to avoid unplanned pregnancies.
3.2.1 Quantitative research
36
This study attempted to quantify factors identified as contributing to adolescent mothers’ nonutilisation of contraceptives in the Piet Retief (Mkhondo) area. Quantitative data can be transposed into numbers, in a formal, objective, systematic process to obtain information and describe variables and their relationships (Brink & Wood 1998:5; Burns & Grove 1993:26).
3.2.1.1 Characteristics of quantitative research
Quantitative research has the following characteristics (Brink & Wood 1998:305;
Research methodology
3.1
INTRODUCTION
This chapter deals with the research methodology of the study, including the research design, setting, population, sample and data-collection instrument.
3.2
RESEARCH DESIGN
Polit and Hungler (1999:155) describe the research design as a blueprint, or outline, for conducting the study in such a way that maximum control will be exercised over factors that could interfere with the validity of the research results. The research design is the researcher’s overall plan for obtaining answers to the research questions guiding the study. Burns and Grove (2001:223) state that designing a study helps researchers to plan and implement the study in a way that will help them obtain the intended results, thus increasing the chances of obtaining information that could be associated with the real situation. This study used a quantitative exploratory descriptive design to identify, analyse and describe factors contributing to adolescent mothers’ non-utilisation of contraceptives to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
The HBM was used as a framework for
collecting data in the Piet Retief (Mkhondo) area of the RSA. The identified factors could then be categorised into individual perceptions, contributing factors and variables affecting the likelihood of adolescent women initiating and maintaining actions to use contraceptives effectively to avoid unplanned pregnancies.
3.2.1 Quantitative research
36
This study attempted to quantify factors identified as contributing to adolescent mothers’ nonutilisation of contraceptives in the Piet Retief (Mkhondo) area. Quantitative data can be transposed into numbers, in a formal, objective, systematic process to obtain information and describe variables and their relationships (Brink & Wood 1998:5; Burns & Grove 1993:26).
3.2.1.1 Characteristics of quantitative research
Quantitative research has the following characteristics (Brink & Wood 1998:305;