Data Collection Techniques and Research Instruments

Both primary and secondary methods of data collection were used. Secondary data collection was conducted through library research while primary data collection was through field research including administering of questionnaires and scheduled interviews as explained below.

3.5.1 Library Research

This included secondary data collection in libraries at Kenyatta University, Jamia Mosque, St. Paul University, Catholic University of East Africa, NCCK and Kenya National Library, which were significant in drafting of chapter one and two of the study. Other relevant data was accessed from the National Bureau of Statistics. The internet was also an important source of data. The media houses which publish Daily Nation, The Standard, The People Daily and The Star were crucial sources of data. The Kenya Times which, ceased to be published in 2012, was a popular newspaper in Kenya which contains stories relevant to this research. Content analysis of newspaper and magazine excerpts and the primary sources of Islam that is, the Quran and Hadith, helped acquire data for the study.

Content analysis was used as a tool for gathering data. It provided a detailed study of given language or text in order to draw out specific features. In this case, attention was paid to data which carried Islamic elements and suggesting the stand of Islam on war and terrorism. The content of Qur’an and Hadith with elements of interfaith tolerance and intolerance was purposively selected. Data on jihad was taken through selection of same passages on the topic to be cross- checked with

primary data. This was with the aim of finding out how Muslims interpret and use the passages on Holy War in today’s context.

In the print media, news items with words like ‘Islam’, ‘Islamic’, ‘Muslim’ and Islamic symbols such as Sharia and Mosque among others were selected. Pictures and cartoons were also given attention. The study sought reports about war and terrorism for analysis.

Old publications of newspapers and books which included Daily Nation, The Standard, The People Daily, The Star and The Kenya Times were accessed from Kenya National Archives and the Newspaper Companies archives. Obtained excerpts were divided into pictorial and stories for interpretation. The stories were further divided depending on the various methods through which signs and interpretations occur. This included the direct words as selected by journalists and connotations that Islam encourages violence. A total of 25 news items were selected for analysis which included newspaper articles and cartoons.

3.5.2 Field Research

Questionnaires were used to gather field data to complement the secondary sources from newspapers and books. The researcher was concerned with getting answers to measure peoples’ opinions and attitudes regarding Islam to establish whether or not it is influenced by print media. Both close-ended as well as open- ended questions were employed to acquire relevant data.

3. 6 Pilot Study

Pilot study was conducted in Kasarani Sub-County (see Map 1) before engaging in the actual data collection process. Five churches and five mosques were selected for the pilot study. They included the following churches: Full Gospel Church (Zimmerman), Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) in Kasarani, Abundant Life Ministries (Githurai 44), Deliverance Church (Githurai 45) and Redeemed Gospel Church (Baba Ndogo). Selected mosques were: two mosques in Githurai 45, Zimmerman mosque, Baba Ndogo mosque and Kenyatta University mosque. One of the aims of the pilot study was to give a pre- exposure of the area of the study and the availability of the respondents. This enabled the researcher to get a picture of the approximate number of mosques and churches in the locality of study. The pilot study also helped in the testing of the design and data collection tools to enhance the success of the study. It confirmed that there were sufficient numbers of informants to enable meaningful data collection and analysis. The pilot study also confirmed that the study was not only feasible but was seen to be highly interesting and useful as indicated in the significance of the study. Five Muslims and five Christians were randomly approached and interviewed. The analysis of the data helped improve the researcher’s skills in conducting the interviews and doing analysis. The pilot study was also valuable; it led to the realization that the questionnaires had to be translated from English to Kiswahili for the Muslims. The pilot study was important in the designing of the questionnaires and the interview schedules. It resulted to discarding of certain

questions and retention of others. This is because there were questions that would result to data that would lead to digression from the objectives of the study. The study also exposed that there was need for a research assistant. Pilot study also revealed the problem in accessing the expected number of journalists as respondents thus reducing it.

3. 7 Ethical Considerations

The study was conducted in accordance to Kenyatta University Ethics Guidelines for Biomedical Research July 2009. The researcher acquired an introduction letter from Dean Graduate School, Kenyatta University and proceeded to the National Council of Science and Technology to apply for research permit (see appendices). Before starting the process of primary data collection, the respondents were always briefed and informed that the study was purely academic. This was especially by noting that the topic was very sensitive involving issues of religious radicalism. They were assured that the information they were to give would be treated with high level of confidentiality. The respondents were assured that only the respondents who would consent would have their full names and photos revealed in the written thesis and that their responses were to be used in making recommendations important for maintenance of peace and religious tolerance in the society.