RESEARCH METHOD AND METHODOLOGY

CHAPTER THREE

                                  RESEARCH METHOD AND METHODOLOGY

3.0              INTRODUCTION

This chapter will be dealing with research methodology and data collection. The chapter will discuss the location of the study and the time of the study, unit of study, and how the sample was selected and the method of data collection. The remaining part of this chapter deals with the statistical techniques used and the problems encountered during the field work.

According to (Bell, 1999:2) research is ‘seeking through systematic methods to add to one’s own body of knowledge and, hopefully, to that of others, by the finding of non-trivial facts and insights’

The web definition of research also agreed that research is a method of ‘inquiring into a topic to discover or revise facts or add to knowledge about the topic’.

www.usg.edu/galileo/skills/ollc_glossary.html

3.1          RESEARCH QUESTION

A comparative study of choice based lettings from the local authority perspectives: What is their view about choice based lettings system?

3.2           LOCATION OF THE STUDY

This research was carried out between the allocation officers of two boroughs Lambeth and Merton councils in London, United Kingdom. Lambeth and Merton councils are both located in the South West area of London. This research was carried out in other to compare two boroughs and find out their views about choice base letting schemes in their borough.

3.3           AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE RESERCH

The aim and objective of this research is to find out the difference and similarities of the way Merton and Lambeth council operate choice base lettings schemes in their borough and compare them.

3.4              RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

This dissertation is based on( qualitative and quantitative) methodology. However, whatever methodology used in this dissertation, qualitative or quantitative, it can produce interesting and useful result. Both methodologies require a high of self-discipline and a capacity for attention to details. Davis( 2007) stated that “qualitative and quantitative researches are both legitimate vehicles for” finding out” social reality in whatever sphere of human life are the focus of your study of your interest”. The approach first adopted for this study was qualitative method believing that it would enable me to have the general ideas of how choice based lettings was delivered, and if it was delivered as promised. However, as the study progresses, there became a necessityfor me to include the quantitative methodology in my research in other to get the fact and compeer them from both boroughs (Merton  and Lambeth).

were used for this study, the questionnaire and the structured interview. A questionnaire is the main instrument in survey research through which a researcher communicates information needs to a group of respondents to stimulate an accurate response and render data in a form which is meaningful for analysis. There are three types of questionnaire structure namely: open-ended questionnaires, close-ended questionnaire and contingency questionnaire (Abosede A.J et al. 2001).

A structured interview is also known as standardised or a researcher administered survey. This type of interview is a qualitative research method frequently used in survey research. The main objective of this method is to ensure that each interviewee is given exactly the same questions and in the similar order. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured interview)

Both instruments have been employed for the purpose of this study because of their individual merits. Questionnaires have the advantage of guiding respondents to more precise answers and avoid digression away from the focus of the survey. Interviews on the other hand have the benefit of enabling the researcher to capture more detailed and less guided information from respondents. It allows for free-minded information and input from the respondents.

The structured interview method was used to collect data from the allocation officers in Lambeth. The same questions were asked in the questionnaire that was sent to allocation officer in Merton council, this was used in order to note differences in their reply and response.  This can be examined and proven to be genuine answers reflecting actual views and representation of the Lambeth and Merton council. According to (May 2001:121) “Validity may then be checked by asking the respondent about the same issue, but employing a different form of question wording and then comparing the answers”

3.5              DATA COLLECTION

The data for this study will be collected from two different set of boroughs

1. Lambeth
2. Merton

Both boroughs have been chosen for the collection of data because both operate the choice base letting system and use the same method of allocating houses which is the Home Connection website on which most empty Council and Housing Association properties are advertised for you to bid for. This is a method whereby the applicant views properties on Home connection website and decides which one to apply for.

Two vital research instruments were used for this study, the questionnaire and the structured interview. A questionnaire is the main instrument in survey research through which a researcher communicates information needs to a group of respondents to stimulate an accurate response and render data in a form which is meaningful for analysis. There are three types of questionnaire structure namely: open-ended questionnaires, close-ended questionnaire and contingency questionnaire (Abosede A.J et al. 2001).

A structured interview is also known as standardised or a researcher administered survey. This type of interview is a qualitative research method frequently used in survey research. The main objective of this method is to ensure that each interviewee is given exactly the same questions and in the similar order. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured interview)

Both instruments have been employed for the purpose of this study because of their individual merits. Questionnaires have the advantage of guiding respondents to more precise answers and avoid digression away from the focus of the survey. Interviews on the other hand have the benefit of enabling the researcher to capture more detailed and less guided information from respondents. It allows for free-minded information and input from the respondents. I chosen semi- structured interview me.............