Evaluating the effect on total quality management on road constructions in Nigeria
Introduction
Research Methodology refers to the methods that adhere to an orderly sequence of data collection. It is a combination of various techniques used in collection of data for a particular research to accomplish and realize its objectives. This chapter therefore, describes the research methods, data collection tools, and their administration and the problems encountered during the research process (Nahid, 2003).
Research Design
The study utilized analytical exploratory research design trying to explore on the ways of achieve total quality anagement in ensuring organizational performance. The intensive exploration and investigation was on a case study of the road construction sites in Nigeria. It aimed at exploring the various quality management techniques, importance, shortcomings and remedies to the sector. The study’s major focus is to obtain comprehensive information about the research objectives and that the success of the sites’ operation greatly relies on the adequate adoption and implementation of quality management strategies. Its primary advantage therefore is the opportunity it allows for thorough and detailed examination and analysis of the research problem so that findings can be applied directly to the object or inquiry. There is also careful and complete analysis of data and other methods of data collection made possible, such as questionnaires. Through it, data generalization was easy and inferences drawn thereof, allowing precise judgment on the facts and cause of certain performance phenomena.
Research Methods
Basically, there are two major types of research methods; qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods are aimed at collecting non-numeric data while on the other hand; quantitative methods are entirely statistical and collect purely numerical data. These include co relational study, experimentation, comparative and descriptive. Some of the commonly applied qualitative methods include phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory and case study. However, I will give attention to the case study method because it’s the most commonly applied.
Data Collection Instruments
a) Questionnaires
Under this method, questions relevant to the information needs are formulated and then they are sent either through post or personally by the researcher, with a request to answer all questions. They are simple standard questions presented to the respondent, which are opening ended and close-ended. This is a common instrument for collecting data from people who are beyond the physical reach of the researcher. This method makes it possible to collect relevant and sufficient information as per the objectives of the study. Given that this was one department the questionnaires were personally administered i.e. physical hand delivery to the 150 respondents. The respondents were given one week to fill the questionnaires.
The set time frame of one week was ample time, which allowed respondents to answer the questions in their own time and well thought out answers yielding detailed information. The cost incurred in this method was also negligible and senior officers were easily reached with convenience. The researcher got very dependable and reliable data that was uniform hence simplifying its analysis. However, not all respondents were cooperative, which led to failure of returning some questionnaires. Other questions were not satisfactorily answered with some not being answered completely.
b) Interview Schedule
This is done verbally allowing the researcher to unswervingly trade thoughts, beliefs or information with resource person. It is most significant reliable and often gives first hand information. Also called a fact - finding technique. It may be structured whereby predetermine questions are formulated in advance before the interview, where questions are not set in advance but the interviewer asks questions as the need arises so as to get the relevant information.
The study utilized structure interviews, where the interviewer/researcher administers it face to face to the respondents. The respondents were requested for appointment and issued with copies of the interview schedule so as to make them aware. While conducting the interview, the researcher collected the data by recording as the interviewee responded (Odusami and Olusanya, 2000).
This provided therefore for immediate responses to queries, giving timely and accurate information. Further, the researcher was able to seek clarification of specific issues and challenges faced by the employees. The interviewer could motivate interviewees to respond freely and openly to questions of which this enhanced more data. Some questions sounded confidential to respondents hence not willing to answer. This method proved to be time consuming (Yin r. 2003).
c) Observation
This method focuses on an individual behavior or the physical environment of all-individual. It helps improve the validity of the responses given by other methods. During the attachment period, the researcher observed by way of viewing the process, activities and employees with systems in operation. This was done before the interviews and questionnaires were carried out to avoid Hawthorne effect i.e. a situation whereby the people are aware of the observer and therefore change their behavior accordingly.
The data collected reflected what was currently used by the system. It was less demanding of active co-operation on the parts of the respondents and it involved less cost. The research collected accurate information hence avoiding the subjective biasness since the respondents were not aware of the observation being carried out (Yin r. 2003).
However, some operations were difficult to observe, hence information collected was limited. Other activities and employees were rarely accessible to direct observation, which created an obstacle for this method to collect more data. Time was limited, as the researcher was not able to observe all the systems in the department (Nahid, 2003).
Secondary Data
This involves both compilation of data analyzed and the literature review.
a) Document Review
Document review involves consultation of the institutions' printed documents on topics related to the topic under study. The documents reviewed included; cheque books, receipt books, cashbooks, Goods Received Notes (GRN), Purchase Requisition Note (PRN), Local Purchase Orders (LPO) payment vouchers both cash and cheques, files with different documents, prospectus, magazines, pamphlets of the organization, journals etc. Other materials with relevant information are textbooks, Internet brochures and even architectural plans. This was done to fill the gap of information and facts not covered by data collection tools already stated. The method was useful in outlining issues that respondents could have failed to offer.
However, there were shortcomings of the method; some documents could not be easily accessed as they appear confidential. Such document review as the printers of receipt books are very sensitive. Time constraint too could not allow an extensive review of all the documents, which meant that sample of the documents, could be analyzed and assumptions made that it was a representative of all other documents.
b) Limitations of the Research
Several constraints were encountered during the research; financial constraint was the biggest hurdle since the researcher was self-sponsoring. This led to inability to meet the entire research requirements, which was necessary for the complete study (Yin r. 2003).
Time was also a limiting factor to this research because most of the data was collected in place and during the attachment period. The researcher was also expected to at the same time execute assigned duties by the supervisor of the section. Administering the questionnaires physically was difficult and time consuming and even scheduling and conducting the interviews.
Some of the respondents to the questionnaires were not co-operative, while others failed to return the questionnaires at all.
There was also inadequate and timely secretarial assistance. This caused unnecessary delays in the completion of research. The researcher had problems in getting materials for literature review and documents for analysis. Much of the time and energy was spent in tracing out the books, journals and other related documents (Yin r. 2003).
Population of the study
According to research, population is a group from which some potential research sub-groups can be identified and used as the resource persons. The success of any research depends almost entirely on how accurate the response from the population is. However, a research involving a large number of the population under study is sometimes impossible, as it requires more resources in terms of time, finances and tools to collect data. A sample size is therefore, regardes as being so important and acts as a representation of the whole population. This is mostly done to allow for a detailed research within the stipulated time that may be limited.
Samples and sampling method
A sample is a unit or portion of the target population with sufficient characteristics of the entire population. The key determinant of the sample size is the level of representation required; a high level of assurance can only be derived from a relatively large sample and vice-versa This particular research targeted approximately 50 members of staff and 100 students from all departments, ranging from the head of the Department to a few office assistants. Despite each one's designation in the department, they all had the necessary characteristics required for the study and the daily operations are routine thus sufficient information was collected from them.
Selection of the sample size was done randomly, a method whereby every member of staff in the department had an equal chance of being selected. This means that any form of bias was eliminated from the selection process, as it was impracticable to peruse the entire data source for the department due to time factor. The sample size selected was sufficient hence more detailed information was extracted and analyzed; without bias and generalization made on the sample as a true representation of the population.
Data analysis and Interpretation
Data analysis is a process of inspecting, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of highlighting useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision making.
The researcher first established if adequate data had been collected through the administration of the described instruments. Once ascertained, data duly collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to generate frequency tables, charts and figures. Research findings were then presented thematically on account of the research objectives.
All the analysis was based on a confidence level of 0.95(95%) and a significance level of 0.05(5%).
The data collected was given on voluntary basis and the respondents were included based on their own active involvement and were given the freedom to ignore items that they did not wish to respond to. The researcher assured the respondents in writing that the information given was treated with confidentiality and utmost respect. This information was provided on the introductory part of every research instrument.
The construction industry in Nigeria is the main employer and the determinant of the state of the country’s economic status. It’s therefore, worth noting that quality management should be embraced in this sector to ensure a favorable economic status. A key problem facing this sector is cost overrun and this paper shall focus on the control of cost overrun as a strategy towards ensuring total quality management. A questionnaire is to be distributed to a sample population thought of as the most appropriate in collecting accurate data (Odusami and Olusanya, 2000).
References
Harris, J.O and MacCaffer, R. (2005) Modern Construction Management. Iowa State Press. Fifth Edition, Blackwell Publishing Company. Ames, Iowa.USA.
Mbachu, J.K and Olaoye, G.S (2009) Analysis of Major Delay factors in building project execution. Nigeria Journal of Construction Management, 2(1) Pg 81-86.
Odusami, K.T and Olusanya, O.O (2000) Clients Contribution to delays on the completion cost of Housing Projects in Nigeria. The Quantity Surveyor.30, 31-44.
Ogunsemi, D.R and Jagboro, G.O (2006) Time-cost model for building Projects in Nigeria. Journal of Construction Management and Economics.24, 253-258.
Nahid g. (2007), understanding reliability and validity in qualitative research, university of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, canada
Yin r. K. (2007), case study research – design and methods, 3rd edition, thousand oaks, California-sage publication.
