Research methods

Data for the research were collected from two main sources namely: primary sources and secondary sources. Primary data were gathered from such sources as youth organizations, government officials, non-governmental organizations and traditional rulers. Secondary data consisted of information gathered from books, journals and unpublished works in the area of study. Information was also gathered from newspapers, materials from governmental agencies such as the Police Service Commission, Police Affairs; especially as regards their developmental programmes, official documents like reports of panel of enquiries and the internet. Questionnaires were also used in the collection of data for this study and were supplemented by in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Data were also obtained from other relevant centres, agencies, organizations and institution dealing with related issues on security. such as CLEEN, CLO, NISER, etc.

Methods of Data Collection

Representing reality has been a major problem in social discourse. Whereas the selection of primary method of investigating a problem is in itself problematic to the researcher, the appropriateness of a particular method has in most cases been a reflection of the cognitive orientation of a scholar and the nature of the problem. Though the scientific method in research with its emphasis on substantiality and intimacy of facts may have gained dominance in the past, the human element has become recognized increasingly as a critical and determining factor in the definition of truth (Osuala, 1982). In this regard, the use of a naturalistic qualitative method in social research should be seen as not just an objective way of investigation but as a way of capturing “what people say and do as a product of how they interpret the complexity of their world …” (Osuala, 1982: 171).

In opposition to this viewpoint is the “epistemological underpinnings of the quantitative motive” which sees social facts as definable and quantifiable.

Modern researches, however, see an advantage in combining these two methods. In a way, no single method is seen as capable of proffering answer to all questions or providing the leeway to all issues. In the light of this, both qualitative and quantitative data gathering methods were utilized in generating sufficient data for this study. The field methods of focus

group discussions, in-depth interviews and the survey questionnaire are of primary sources data collection.

Apart from yielding enormous data, the combination of these methods enhanced an objective validation and made reliable the data gathering cum analysis processes. Secondary data were also obtained from other relevant centres, agencies, organizations and institution dealing with related issues on security and also from books, journals, and unpublished works in the area of study.

These sources provided complementary and supplementary information in addition to those obtained from fieldwork.

The method used in the collection of data for the study included structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and in-depth interview. The survey method enabled the researcher to extract information from a largest population through the use of questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussion, where the researcher‟s interviewing skills were utilized, such as familiarity with questionnaire, ability to ask the same questions in the same way in the same order, empathy and active listening, probing and neutral questions responsiveness, adaptable and observation of behaviour.

Design of Questionnaire

This research technique was designed to solicit information on the erosion of discipline in the Nigeria police force and its implications for National Security. This was structured and guided by existing literature. Other items to standardize the instrument were extracted from journal articles, magazines, books, other relevant documents and archival materials, personal discussions with some lecturers, security experts, top police officers and military officers, junior rank i.e. rank and files, inclusive, also retired security agents (both of the police and the army) and other diverse sources.

The instrument consisted of twenty-two items with a NINE-line space at the end for comments, suggestions and observations that could enhance the success of this work. It was divided into two sections. A and B, and structure on Likert Rating Scale as indicated below.

A – Bio-data and background information.

B – Substantive data:

Which was further divided into four sections that emphasized on (a) Roles of the police to the society, (b) Standard of the police in terms of performance ratio, (c) Causes of

erosion of discipline in the Nigeria police force and (d) The implications of the erosion of discipline in the Nigeria police force on National Security.

The standard reactions used for items in section B was based on the Likert-type scale of measurement as follows:

SA - Strongly Agreed

A - Agreed

SD - Strongly Agreed

D - Disagreed

This 4 point Likert-type researcher-developed questionnaire and the variables contained in Section B of the questionnaire were meant to elicit responses or information on the causes and implications of erosion of discipline in the Nigeria Police Force.

Administration of Questionnaires

The process of examining, measuring and analyzing the implications of erosion of discipline in the Nigeria police force on National Security. Three hundred (300) structured interview questionnaires were administered on the basis of 100 per zones randomly selected out of the six-geopolitical zones in the country. Respondents were evenly spread across four age groupings i.e. (a) 16 – 25, (b) 26 – 45, 46 – 65, and 66 and above.

Care was adequately taken to avoid gender bias in the sampling process. The researcher had previously and formally visited all the relevant agencies, commissions and the different police headquarters, made formal arrangements necessary for administering the questionnaires. During the visits, contact phone numbers of respondents were collected for easy communication – booking of appointments and dates for the collection of questionnaires.

Issues that needed further explanation or clarification were always directed to the researcher while very few questionnaires were filled on the spot meanwhile majority of them were filled to be collected later.

Out of a total of 300 questionnaires administered, 262 of them were retrieved and found valid for analysis. This stood at a response rate of 86.7%.

In-Depth Interview

It is a social interaction, artificial situation fraught with power dynamics which provides the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

(1) Obtain in-depth, sensitive, qualitative data.

(2) Observe behaviour of interviewee.

(3) Good response rate (4) Flexibility

(5) Observe group behaviour and influences (group interview and focus group)

Disadvantages

(1) Possible Interviewer bias.

(2) Social desirability.

(3) Answers that are not readily comparable if questions are less standardized.

(4) Cost.

(5) Time implications.

(6) Less anonymity

Responses gathered through the questionnaires were augmented with data collected through interviews and focus group discussions. Interviewing is a mainline toward getting into the lives of people so that our understanding of the nature of their experience is secure. In fact, a major contribution to the history of qualitative research is the growing contribution in the literature about solid interviewing techniques. Kerlinger (1996) explains three main uses of interviews; they can be used as an exploratory device to help identify variables and relations; to suggest hypotheses, and to guide other phases of the research. They can be the main instrument of the research. Lastly, interviews can supplement other methods; and follow up unexpected results.

Under this method, each of the selected interviewees was interviewed at length and the data collected were used to give depth to the study. Interviews conducted were mainly personal interviews. Interview was conducted on prominent citizens and police officers from the study area. A minimum of thirty in-depth interviews, were conducted in each zone, including the police service commission, police affairs department and many non-governmental organizations which added to minimum of ninety interviews.

Efforts were made to interview major stakeholders in security arenas such as top/high ranking police officers from the rank of Deputy-Inspector General of Police, Assistance Inspector General of Police, many commissioners of police and many other police officers including inspectors and rank and files. The chairman, police service commission, staff of the

PSC, some active senior officers who served in the “good old days,” opinion leaders and traditional rulers, other groups included students, youth leaders, civil society groups, human right activists, non-governmental organizations (NGO) that are involved in security matters.

Both structured and unstructured interviews were administered depending on the personalities. Mostly interviews with senior police officers and heads of organizations and institutions follow the structured format, while others were conducted using the unstructured procedure. Interviews with the illiterate members of the communities were conducted with the help of interpreters.

Focus Group Discussions (FGD)

This involved a small group, who are together for an in-depth discussion on a specific issue. It is like an in-depth interview, but using a group rather than an individual. Aim to collect data that is a product of group interaction or reflection, where the data collector serves as the moderator.

The focus group discussion as a technique is the most common type of research in the social sciences, that is primarily a qualitative method involving the administration of open-ended questions to a carefully chosen target group; it requires a great deal of patience, fortitude, tact, diplomacy and tenacity. This is because some participants can be over reactive or sensitive to handle. For instance, while some of the participants lost their temper or composure, others argued a lot. While some broke down in the course of the discussion based on the negative impacts that the police had on them or their families and basically on the temporary and permanent trauma caused on their lives as a result of the indiscipline and bad conduct of the police. This challenged the researcher to tactfully, patiently, courageously and diplomatically handle the situation so as to achieve the intended purpose of the discussion.

The objective of FGD is to make the subject an active participant. FGD is regarded as a non-directive interviewing method that is increasingly popular in market research, impact evaluation in human services programme and researches in community development. Health, environmental and security matters have also benefited from the FGD technique.

In view of the importance of this method to survey research, and especially to this study, the study generated part of its data through FGD. For the FGD, it was three (3) in each zone, at the force headquarters and PSC. They comprise of senior and junior police officers, staff of the PSC, NGO‟s, government officials, youth groups, civil societies. The FGD were conducted with the males, females, youths and elderly respectively.

The groups were conventionally homogeneous, save for sex. That is, members were recruited to a particular group on the strength of similarities in social and economic status, age, experience and other characteristics important to the discussions. The discussions were held in a relatively informal setting and this allowed for the participants, freedom and in effect a greater participation. Most of the discussions took place in the evening when participants must have had enough rest after the days work and some at the various sections of the police offices based on the shifting nature of their work. For all the discussions; the researcher acted as the moderator, directing affairs with a prepared outline. The outline which reflected the objectives of the research contained such headings as: (1) The roles of the police in the society, (2) the standard of the police, (3) causes of indiscipline in the police, and (4) the implications of the erosion of discipline on national security.

In order to stimulate a friendly and informal environment, the researcher often made jokes, narrate various ordeals from books/experiences. The FGDs apart from providing aggregate views on the subject of study acted as objective corroborative test for most of the data obtained from the questionnaires survey. The FGD was made up of groups of 5 – 13 with similar background. Since free discussion was encouraged; new lines of enquiry emerged during the FGD session, which assisted the researcher in the final report. Since FGD have the following advantages that is it is good for measuring attitudes, expectations, opinions, perceptions that are formed in the group, it is also cheap and fast but it is not good for sensitive or extremely controversial topics.