Implementation Of Vocational

Education Psychology Essay

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There is an absence of both in Nigeria and international research into the area of
implementation of vocational education and its impact in women participation in
workforce in Nigeria and to address this issue the researcher propose to carry out
this study. Within this chapter the researcher will outline and discuss the most
appropriate methods of design, sample selection, data collection, and analysis. There
will also be description of the ethical considerations necessary to complete the
proposed study.

3.1 Design of the Study

Given the limited information on the target population, and more specifically the
issue under investigation, a qualitative approach was best suited to further
understand the Implementation of Vocational Education and Its Impact in Women
Participation in Workforce in Nigeria. According to Merriam (1998) qualitative
research is interested "in process rather than outcomes, in context rather than
specific variables, in discovery rather than confirmation" (p.19). Creswell (2007) also
states that qualitative research is a means for exploring and understanding the
meaning individuals or group ascribe to a social or human problem. The purpose of
qualitative studies is to describe a phenomenon from the participation's point of view
through interviews and observations. The intention of the researcher is to listen to
the voice of participants or observe them in their natural environment (Field &
Morse, 1992).

In contrast to quantitative approach which assumes one objective reality that is

measurable (Crotty, 1998), qualitative researcher recognizes that meaning is socially
constructed by individuals in interaction with their world. It is important to interact
with participants in this kind of study, so as to get their experiences and articulate
their perception on the phenomenon under investigation. Peshkin (1993) asserts that

qualitative method will enable a researcher to gain new insight about a particular
phenomenon, develop new concepts or perspective about the phenomenon, and/or
discover the problem that exists within the phenomenon. In support of Merriam and
Simpon (2000), qualitative research attempts to achieve an understanding of how
people make sense out of their lives. The perspective of participants is one of the
features of qualitative research (Flick, 1998; Stake, 1995).
In addition Irving (2006) pointed out that in qualitative research hypotheses are not
being tested, the issue is not whether the researcher can generalize the finding of an
interview study to a broader population, instead the researcher's task is to present
the experience of the people he or she interviews in compelling enough detail and in
sufficient depth that those who read the study can connect to that experience, learn
how it is constituted and deepen their understanding of the issues it reflects.
Qualitative research uses naturalistic approach that seeks to understand phenomena
in context-specific settings such as "real world setting [where] the researcher does
not attempt to manipulate the phenomenon of interest" (Nahid, 2003).
Maykut and Morehouse (1994: 43-47) and Streubert and Carpenter (1995: 10-12)
emphasis that this type of research require in-depth understanding of the
informants' view as well as going into the research site without preconceived ideas
about the phenomenon under study

3.2 Population and Sample

The essence of participants in any research is to help in solving the problem under
investigation. So far that, the selection of participants in this study will be based on
the potential of each participant's ability to contribute to researcher understanding of
the phenomenon under investigation. The purpose of sample is not to achieve
statistical generalization, but rather to gain the perspective of the participants.
Selection of participants in qualitative research should be in such a way that it will
reflect the researcher's aim to discover and understand the inquired phenomenon
(Merriam, 1998). One issue of concern in qualitative research is the issue of number
of participants in the study. Qualitative research is unlike quantitative research were
by a large number of sample will be selected for the study, qualitative use a very few
number of participants. Patton (2000) opines that a small sample does not mean
that the research is not significant. Merriam also supported that the small size will
enable the researcher to have an in-depth understanding of the research
phenomenon and not to seek statistical generalization. It is clear that the small
sample is to be used in order for the researcher to have an in-depth understanding of

the research phenomenon. Based on the above submission the researcher in

consultation with the supervisory committee will determine the number of
participants to be selected.
In determining the sample for the study, two methods of sampling will be employed;
purposive sampling and snowballing. Hollow and Wheeler (1996: 74) describe
purposive sampling as sampling where individuals or group with special knowledge
of the topic are chosen. It implies selecting potential participants who researcher
believes can contribute to the phenomenon under investigation. Patton (2003)
asserts that "the logic and power of purposeful sampling lies in selecting
information-rich cases for study in depth (p.230) which have the potential to yield
insight and in-depth understanding rather than empirical generalization.
Information-rich case are those from which great deal about issues of central
importance to the purpose of the inquiry, thus the term purposeful sampling (p.230).
The second method is snowballing. This is a technique of asking participants to
recommend other potential participants. The researcher will ask participant to
suggest other participants who are qualified and he will also contact them to
ascertain their profile and capability of being part of the study. The sample for this
study will consist of female students attending Federal Polytechnic and who are
enrolled in vocational education program. Participants for this study must be in their
1st and 2nd year of Higher National Diploma (HND) and must have completed
National Diploma (ND) in vocational education. The participant also must have had
at least six month industrial work experience or industrial training to qualify to
participate in the study.

3.2.1Justification for Sampling Selection

As stated above the researcher will carefully select his participants among female
students who are enrolled in vocational education program. These participants must
have completed ND with at least six months work experience and must be in the 1st
or 2nd year of HND in vocational education program. These participants will help in
expressing their feeling on the Implication of Vocational Education and Its Impact on
Women Participation in Workforce in Nigeria. These participants have passed
through secondary education, completed ND in vocational program, worked for at
least six months before returning to the institution for HND. These participants will
be reach in experience in expressing their feelings on the factors influencing women

participation in vocational pr0gram and also relate the experience of women

participation in workforce. In addition the researcher will try to establish a link or
sort friendship so as to enable him gain acceptance from the participants.

3.3 Data Collection

As previously stated the researcher intends to carry out a qualitative study, in order
to do so the researcher will adopt open ended, semi-structured, in-depth interview as
it allows participants to discuss their opinions, views and experiences fully in detail
where as perhaps a set interview with closed ended questions may inhibit them to
express their full opinions and feeling about the phenomenon under investigation.
With the use of semi-structured interviews the researcher will have prepared a topic
guide or a certain amount of questions to be covered with the participants (Polit &
Beck 2008). A face to face interview allows the researcher to observe any non-verbal
communication but also allows both the interviewer and participant to seek any
clarification necessary. The interview will be guided by four open ended questions,
uniquely developed by the researcher for the purpose of this study. The interviews
are estimated to last 60-90 minutes however, these questions and time are merely a
guide or structure to the interview sessions; it is the participant's responses which
will lead the direction and length of the interview. The interviews will be audio-taped
with permission from the participants to ascertain an accurate account of the
interview which can be replayed for analytic purposes and anonymity will be assured
during the course of the recording. Participants will be reminded of their right to
withdraw from the study or terminate the interview at any time before commencing
the session.

3.4 Data Analysis

The purpose of data analysis is to organize, provide structure to and elicit meaning
from research data (Polit & Beck, 2008). Data analysis will be ongoing in conjunction
with data collection as Polit and Hunglar (19990 states as interviews are conducted,
gathered data is synthesized, interpreted and communicated to give meaning to it.
Merriam (1998) and Marshall & Rossman (1989) content that data collection and
analysis must be a simultaneous process in qualitative research. They claim that
qualitative data analysis entails classifying things, persons and events and the
properties that characterize them.
The researcher will transcribe the interviews verbatim and analysis of the transcripts
will be carried out by the researcher while utilizing Colaizzi's (1978) seven step

process to descriptive data analysis. First the researcher will read all participants
questionnaires and transcribe the data collected from the interviews to get a general
sense of the whole and ideas presented. Next, significant statements and phrases
pertaining to the phenomenon being studied are extracted from each transcript.
Meaning is then formulated from the significant statements. Then the meanings are
organized into themes, and these themes evolve into them clusters and eventually
into them categories. A color coded system will be used to highlight specific
themes/categories to perform a preliminary analysis. This process allows the
researcher to interpret findings more easily.
In order to achieve complete data saturation, thorough reading and re-reading is
necessary to ensure all recurring information and variations are identified and only
when no new information can be obtained is this achieved (Holloway & Wheeler
2002; Polit & Beck, 2008).

3.5 Pilot Study

A pilot study is used to assist in the further development of a large study, it may be
used in order to test study measures, estimation of interviews, testing validity of tools
and estimation of outcome variables (Arain eet al. 2010). Researchers benefit from
carrying out a pilot study prior to the main study as it allows for the identification of
any weaknesses in the plans and allows time to rectify and necessary amendments
before carrying out the remainder of the study.

In most cases it is recommended that a pilot study be carried out prior to the main
research using 10 percent of the actual sample size, however as this is study is a
qualitative study the researcher will use number as will be arrived with the
supervisory committee. This pilot study will be used to test the tools/frameworks
trustworthiness, reliability, and also the interview location, audio recording sound,
and time frames. This pilot study will be used as a method to discover any flaws in
the current data collection plan, while also allowing enough time to rectify these
before the main research takes place.

3.6 Validity and Reliability

All research irrespective of methods or design is concerned with producing valid and
reliable knowledge in ethical manner. In qualitative research trustworthiness and
rigor are indicators of validity and reliability. Reliability is concerned with the

question of the extent to which one's finding will be found again. That is if the inquiry
is replicated, would the finding be the same (Merriam, 1998). Validity necessitates
demonstration that the proposition generated, refined or tested matches the casual
condition which obtains in human life.
The connection between reliability and internal validity from a traditional
perspective rest for some on the assumption that a study in more valid if repeated
observations in the same study or replication of the entire study produces the same
result (Merriam, 1998). Because human are the primary instrument of data
collection and analysis in qualitative research interpretations of reality are accessed
directly through their observation and interviews. Lincoln and Guba (1985 p.288)
asserts that the most important question for qualitative research is whether the
result are consistent with the data collected. Rather than demanding that outsiders
get the same results as researchers wishes outsiders to concur that given the data
collected the results make sense-they are consistent and dependable. The question
then is not whether findings will be found again but whether the results are
consistent with data collected.
T he researcher in ensuring validity and reliability will employ triangulation which
encompasses the use of multiple methods (Denzi, 1970; Mathison, 1988), The
researcher will hear the phenomenon in interviews, match it with what took place in
observation and try to compare it with what the researcher read in pertinent
documents and this gives the researcher the confident that "reality" of the situation,
as perceived by those in it, is being conveyed as "truthfully" as possible. The
researcher will use member checks-taking data collected from the study participants
and tentative interpretations of these data back to the people from whom they were
derived and ask if the interpretation were plausible, if the "ring true" (Guba &
Lincoln, 1981; Patton, 1991). The researcher will adopt peer/colleague examination
by asking peers or colleagues to examine the data and comment on the plausibility of
the emerging finding. The researcher in submersion/engagement in the research
situation-will collect data over a long period of time to ensure in-depth
understanding of the phenomena. The researcher will incorporate these principles to
enhance validity and reliability of the study at hand.

3.7 Ethical Consideration

The issue of ethics in conducting research is very crucial, as a researcher there are
certain ethics that you need to adhere to in order to have a good conduct in your
research. The researcher must anticipate any ethical issues that may arise during the

qualitative process (Creswell, 2009). The researcher need to protect his participants
by developing trust with them, providing the integrity of the research, guarding
against misconduct and any impropriety that might reflect on the organization or
institutions and cope with new challenging problems (Creswell, 2009). First and
foremost, the researcher has an obligation to respect the rights, needs, values and
desires of the participants. The reputation and position of the participants are visible,
especially since the findings of the study could be shared with other people and
organizations. The participants will be safeguarded and their right protected.
Participants will be advised in writing of the voluntary nature of their participation
and that they could withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. If they
show interest and wish to participate then the researcher will make use of them, but
they refuse or decline, the researcher has no right whatsoever to force them. He
should not also use any influence to trick the participant because by doing so the
entire study will be affected and he cannot be able to get expected result. They will
also be advised that at any time during the process they could decline to answer and
question. The research objectives will be clearly delineated in writing and articulated
to participants. A written consent form will obtained from each participant. The
participants will be informed in writing of all data collection methods and activities.
Provisions will be made for monitoring data collected to ensure the safety of the
participants. Written transcriptions and interpretations of the data will be made
available to the participants. The participants rights, interest and wishes will be
considered first when choices are made regarding participant privacy will be rest
with the participant.
All findings and results presented will be that of actual facts stated in the interviews.
All participants' experiences and perceptions will be portrayed as they have done so
in the interviews, on false information or accusations will be included in the final
report. Ethical issues may arise at any point during any study regardless of the
scrupulous planning therefore it is important that possible ethical issues are
identified, prevented, and reviewed as best as possible prior to, during and after the
study. Ethical principles provide direction to the possible issues not answers. The
risk to the participants is considered minimal