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Data Analysis

In document Email overload in academia (Page 38-42)

Participant Survey Face-to-Face Interview Email Interview 1 X X

3.4. Data Analysis

Basically, there are two major sources of data collection available to a researcher. These are primary and secondary sources of data. Thus, this study relied heavily on primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected using questionnaire, direct observation and interview. In this regard, the fixed alternative, dichotomous, multiple choice open ended questionnaires where questions were structured in line with the research objectives, research questions and research hypotheses in the study was used. Although, the use of

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structured questionnaires to collect data has many advantages, the general low percentage of documents being returned has to be borne in mind.

The fixed alternative, close-ended or structured questionnaires have the following advantages: information can be obtained from a large target population; it is an inexpensive way of collecting data and is not time consuming and it implies a high degree of anonymity. Yet, it captures the attention of respondents easily; it stimulates the subject interest in the question and requires fewer skills to administer; it saves time and effort as it can be administered to many respondents at a time and reduces respondent‟s resistance to respond; the anonymity of respondents has a better chance of being guaranteed. The danger in the fixed-alternative approach is that it is overly restrictive.

This is because it compels respondents to compress a variety of opinions into a single alternative which may not exist in reality. This weakness was however minimized with conscious attempt at moderation in the design of the questionnaire.

In the open ended or unstructured questionnaire, the responses may vary as the respondents vary. However, the most distinguishing aspect of it is that, respondents have the freedom to provide answers without being compelled or restricted to a particular answer. Yet, it is capable of providing information which might not have been provided or thought of by the researcher. But one major shortcomings of open ended questionnaire method is that it is difficult to subject the question to statistical analysis, since its quantification may be difficult (see Asika, 2006; Chukwuemeka, 2002).

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In addition to the questionnaire, relevant information was also obtained through interactions (direct observation) with some of the respondents during which the researcher carefully sought for clarifications on topical issues. The advantage of direct observation or face-to-face relationship is that it allows for a more detailed and comprehensive picture of the phenomenon under investigation, except that in some cases the observer may get emotionally involved in what is being observed making him or her to lose sense of objectivity.

The study also adopted interview method of data collection. Patel & Davidson (2003) recommend four important preparations that are required in the interview process, these include: the evaluation of the interview guide to ensure that it covers every aspect of the problem; the evaluation of all questions to avoid questions that may divert focus on the problem; conduct a pilot study to test the reliability of the interview guide; practice the interview technique and have confidence about the content of the interview.

To meet these criteria, the functionality of the interview guide was tested through a pilot study (Appendix C) with some employees of the organization under study. The rudimentary results helped the researcher to reformulate and add some questions to increase precision.

The advantage of using interview method include but not limited to the fact that information gathered is likely to be more correct than that collected through questionnaire since it involves face-face interaction; it yields a high percentage of returns since most people can be reached and are likely willing to respond to questions asked; and asking

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sensitive and irrelevant questions can be hard or impossible in an interview situation.

Interviews give the interviewer room to adjust questions as necessary, clarify, and ensure that the questions are properly understood by repeating or rephrasing them (See Mouton, 1996). Interviews also make it possible for the researcher to take note of non-verbal clues from the respondents, for example, frowns and nervous tapping which can be used to determine the final result.

To supplement the data from primary source, some information were collected through secondary source. Thus, secondary materials were sourced from academic literature on the subject matter. This serves as background materials. The survey covers published books, assorted journal publications, periodicals, circulars, diaries, pamphlets, and internet. The information derived from library and documentary research was utilized in writing the first two chapters which are basically theoretical and historical. Chapter three, which is the chapter on methodology, was written based on the survey instruments.

Chapter four which is basically analytic was based on the analysis and interpretation of questionnaire responses as well as test of research hypotheses. Chapter five provides summary, conclusion and offer recommendations based on the identified problems.

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In document Email overload in academia (Page 38-42)

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