Necesidades de formación en el Ecuador

3.4.1. Sample Size and Sampling Procedure

A study sample of 663 was drawn from the population of study. This sample size was determined by looking at the sample sizes worked out by Israel (2006) who modified the formula recommended by Krejcie and Morgan (1970) by increasing the confidence level from 95% to 99%. His sample size recommendations are shown in the table below.

Table 1

Populations and Sample Sizes

Population Size Error Margin = 5%

95% Confidence Level 99% Confidence Level

100 80 87

500 217 285

1, 000 278 399

10, 000 370 622

100, 000 383 659

500, 000 384 663

1 million and above 384 663

Given that the researcher’s population was over 20 million, she settled for a sample of 663 for 99% confidence level and 0.05 error margin.

The sampling procedure was multi-staged. The first stage involved the selection of streets from the six South-South states and five (5) quarters/streets were purposely selected from each capital state from the region, the focus was on street with telecommunication masts.

The second stage involved selection of compounds from the streets selected, and five (5) compounds were randomly selected using the lottery method (the researcher numbered the houses accordingly and wrote them down and picked five out from a bowl), the table below further explains it.

Table 2 Sampling Procedure

State Quarter/Street Compound

AkwaIbom State

Ikop Ekepan, Obot Epkeme, Edouru, Etukapkan, Nung Ukot Itan

Five compounds

Bayelsa State

Participant No. 12, Ebis, Azikoro, Amarata, Ere Robison Five compounds

Cross Rivers State

Mayne quarter, Etonka quarter, Sabongari quarters, Marian quarters and Esitta quarter

Five compounds

Delta State Amb. Leo Okogwu quarter, Ndah. F.C.Ekene quarter, Olishe quarter, Umuagu quarter and Lady Stella quarter.

Five compounds

Edo State Iyen quarter, Ikpobi quarter, Isumwa quarter, Akapakpwa quarter and Igun quarters

Five compounds

Rivers State Agip quarters, Eliowahani quarters, Mgbuoshimin Larry quarter, Rumukuta quarter, Rumukoro quarter

Five compounds

At the third stage, a given number of respondents were selected from each of the houses in the compound randomly selected.

3.4.2. Instrument of Data Collection

The data collection instrument was structured questionnaire (See Appendix I). The questionnaire comprised close-ended questions segmented into five sections. Section I had questions on the respondents’ demographic variables; Section II was on their proximity to telecommunication masts; Section III was on their awareness/understanding of health risks associated with dappling telecommunication masts; Section IV had questions probing their extent of adoption of precautionary measures against the health risks; while Section V was on their awareness/knowledge of the regulations and regulatory agencies in regard to erection of masts.

3.4.3. Measurable Variables (Operational Definitions)

The measurable variables for this research included Independent and Dependent Variables. The independent or demographic characteristics such as gender, marital status, occupation, occupant,

how long the occupant have lived there and these were measured by asking questions that sought demographic data.

The dependent variables measured in this study included:

• Awareness and knowledge of health risks associated with radiation that comes from dappling telecommunication masts: Measured by asking the respondents questions regarding whether they know that there are health risks associated with radiation coming from dappling telecommunication masts.

• Knowledge of health risks associated with radiation that comes from dappling telecommunication masts: Measured by asking the respondents questions regarding the much they know and understand the specific health risks associated with radiation coming from dappling telecommunication masts.

• Source of information on health risks associated with radiation that comes from dappling telecommunication masts: Measured by asking the respondents questions regarding their source of information about the health risks associated with radiation coming from dappling telecommunication masts.

• Compliance with precautionary measures against the health risks associated with radiation that comes from dappling telecommunication masts: Measured by asking the respondents questions regarding how much they act in line with the preventive measures against the health risks associated with radiation coming from dappling telecommunication masts.

3.4.4. Pre-test of instrument

Pre-test of instrument serves to establish the validity cum reliability of the data collection tool.

While validity determines whether the said instrument correctly measures the concerned variables, reliability determines how consistent the instrument would be in measuring such variables (Asika, 1991, p.105).

To test the validity and reliability of her instrument, the researcher conducted a pilot study using 40 respondents randomly selected from her population. The instrument was administered to the respondents who filled and returned them. Analysis of their answers helped the researcher in establishing the validity of the instrument.

To further confirm its reliability (consistency), the researcher re-administered the same instrument to the same 40 respondents after two weeks of the first exercise. Thereafter, she analysed their answers and compared it with their answers in the previous exercise to determine the degree of their consistency. Such consistency served as a yardstick for determining the instrument’s reliability.

3.4.5. Data Collection Procedure

Data were collected over a period of one month with the help of five (5) research assistant for the purpose. The research assistants were PGD and Master’s students who were conversant with research methodology and came from the South-South region, each from one state of the region, after being further trained and instructed on what to do.The researcher and the assistants distributed copies of the questionnaire to the respondents and collected them back after filling them, trying all possible means to ensure a 100 percent return rate.