The project was the research into the civil war of Nigeria also known as Biafra war. The general outline of the project was to illustrate how the war happened in a chronological manner, the causes of the war and the impact of the war on the current Nigerian people and to an extent the whole world. So in order to correctly investigate the war, which is an important feature in history, the limits of the whole project had to be set. The purpose for this is to give a guideline on how to conduct the research successfully.
The initial limits of the project set included setting a timeframe in which the project was meant to be done. The total time given on this particular project was 12 hours. Therefore, to work efficiently within this time, a timeframe was made in which provided that the first 6 hours be solely on research. In details, 3 hours was for looking for available books, relevant interviewees and other vital publications, and the other 3 hours conducting the actual research. The other 6 hours was dedicated to compiling the data collected and writing a research paper to that effect.
Another limit set was on the methodology use. In order to do an important and authentic research both primary and secondary data collection methods were to be employed. In particular, a face-to-face interview (primary) and literature review (secondary).The face-to-face interview was to involve five professors of African history while the literature review was set at using 20 sources.
In addition to the above limit, the project was also set to have one person doing the research, compiling the data collected and writing the final research paper. The labour was supposed to be 100 percent dependant on the solitary individual within conducting the research.
None of these limits was stuck to since during the research; many problems and unanticipated obstacles presented themselves. For example, initially it was thought that there were many publications on Biafra war, so it was decided that the number of sources be put at 20. However, during the research, it was realized that there were only four authentic books and one newspaper available in the school library. In addition to this, not all the professors agreed to be interviewed. Some were evasive and others hostile (2). Those who agreed to that effect, one was completely biased leaning towards one side of the argumentum thesis. Therefore, changes had to be made to the numbers of sources to be used; two interviewees and six literatures to be reviewed.
Another problem that ensued was the issue of time and labor. Initially set was allocation of 6 hours to research and the other six on paper writing. However, because of the behavior of the interviewees, wastage of time was inevitable. About three hours was lost either waiting or looking for some of them. This subsequently left us with 9 hours in which to conduct the research. Due to the pressure to beat the deadline, I had to add two more members to aid in data collection and compiling of data, thus altering the limit set of 100 percent personal work.
Two types of data collection were done. The primary data collection; note taking and face-to-face interviews and secondary data collection, literature reviews.
Face to Face and note taking
The Face -to -face interviews encompass a distinctive advantage of facilitating setting up of a rapport. The interviews yielded maximum response rates in the research, with professors providing authentic and factual information about the war. They also permit the researcher to elucidate vague answers and when suitable, look for recorded information. The main Disadvantage include impractical when huge samples are involved time consuming and costly. In this case, it was most appropriate since we are dealt with less than 5 participants.
Literature reviews
These play a significant function in impact assessment by creating information practical to comprehend the progressions behind observed results and evaluate changes in people’s acuities of the problem at hand. They can also be used to improve the eminence of the interviews by helping in creating an appraisal hypothesis. The main disadvantage is proving objectivity and authenticity.
General evaluation
Although the limits set were altered, the overall project was successfully done. This is because it was done within the deadline provided. The research was also historically accurate in that all info used related to the Biafran war. The research also incorporated many kinds of sources including print, Internet, interview, and book publications so it was balanced.
