The government has tabled changes to the statistics Act 2015 whose previous amendments
were passed by the National Assembly in September last year. These sections of Statistics
Act criminalized dissemination of none official information released without approval by the
relevant authority. Assume that today the government has appointed you to collect
stakeholders’ opinion about their feelings with regard to such amendments.
i)Briefly explain the proceduresyou will follow to undertake this study.
ii)If stakeholders include members of parliament, journalists, and the normal citizens:
a)Describe the study design to be adopted
b)The sampling procedure for this study
c)Method of data collectionrelevant for this study
i) To undertake this study, the following procedures would be followed:
1) Define the objectives of the study: This could include understanding the stakeholders' opinions on the amendments to the Statistics Act 2015 and their potential impact on disseminating non-official information.
2) Develop a research plan: This includes deciding on the study design, sampling procedure, and method of data collection to be adopted, as well as determining the timeline and budget for the study.
3) Identify and recruit participants: Stakeholders could be members of parliament, journalists, and normal citizens. It would be important to identify representatives from each group who are knowledgeable about or have a vested interest in the Statistics Act amendments.
4) Conduct background research: Before conducting the study, it would be beneficial to review existing literature, previous studies, and relevant documentation on the topic. This would help in informing the study design and developing appropriate survey questions or interview guides.
5) Communicate with participants: Once the participants have been identified, it is essential to communicate with them to explain the study's purpose, obtain their consent to participate, and schedule the interviews or surveys.
6) Collect data: This could involve conducting face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions, or distributing online surveys. Each stakeholder group may require a different method of data collection, considering their availability and preferences.
7) Analyze the data: After data collection, the responses would be coded and analyzed to identify common themes, opinions, and patterns. This could involve the use of qualitative analysis software or statistical tools, depending on the nature of the data collected.
8) Prepare a report: The findings of the study would be summarized and documented in a report. This report could include an overview of the study, methodology, key findings, and recommendations for policymakers.
ii) a) Study design: To capture the opinions of various stakeholders effectively, a mixed-methods approach could be adopted. This would involve both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative methods like interviews or focus group discussions could provide in-depth insights, while quantitative methods like surveys could provide more generalizable results.
b) Sampling procedure: A stratified sampling procedure could be adopted to ensure representation from each stakeholder group. Within each group, a random sampling technique could be used to select participants. For example, within members of parliament, representatives from different political parties could be included.
c) Method of data collection: For members of parliament, interviews could be conducted to gather their opinions in a more personalized manner. Journalists could participate in focus group discussions to promote open dialogue and information sharing. Normal citizens could be surveyed using online questionnaires or face-to-face interviews, depending on their accessibility and willingness to participate. Each method would be tailored to the needs and characteristics of the respective stakeholder group.
i) Procedures to undertake this study:
1. Define the objectives: Clearly outline the goals and objectives of the study, which is to gather stakeholders' opinions about the proposed changes to the Statistics Act.
2. Identify stakeholders: Identify the key stakeholders who will be involved in the study. In this case, the stakeholders include members of parliament, journalists, and normal citizens.
3. Develop a questionnaire or interview guide: Prepare a questionnaire or interview guide that includes questions to assess stakeholders' opinions, concerns, and suggestions regarding the amendments to the Statistics Act. The questions should be clear, concise, and unbiased.
4. Pilot testing: Conduct a pilot test of the questionnaire or interview guide with a small group of representative stakeholders to identify any ambiguities or issues with the questions. Make necessary modifications based on the feedback received.
5. Sampling: Determine the sample size and sampling procedure for the study (will be detailed in the next section).
6. Data collection: Carry out data collection through appropriate methods, such as surveys or interviews, to gather stakeholders' opinions and perspectives. Ensure that the data collection process is standardized to maintain consistency and comparability.
7. Data analysis: Analyze the collected data using appropriate statistical techniques. This may involve categorizing and summarizing stakeholders' responses, identifying trends, patterns, and common themes, and drawing conclusions based on the findings.
8. Reporting: Prepare a comprehensive report that includes a summary of the findings, key insights, and recommendations. Share the report with relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure their opinions and feelings are heard and considered in the decision-making process.
ii) Study design, sampling procedure, and data collection method:
a) Study design: A cross-sectional study design will be adopted for this study. This design allows for data collection at a single point in time, gathering information from different stakeholders.
b) Sampling procedure: To represent the stakeholders, a combination of probability and purposive sampling techniques can be used. Firstly, random sampling can be employed to select a specific number of normal citizens from different demographics. Secondly, purposive sampling can be used to select members of parliament and journalists based on their relevance and expertise in the subject.
c) Method of data collection: Given the wide range of stakeholders involved, a combination of methods can be employed. Surveys/questionnaires can be distributed among normal citizens to collect their opinions and feelings. Interviews can be conducted with members of parliament and journalists to gather more detailed and nuanced perspectives. The data collection method should be structured, allowing for standardized responses and capturing both quantitative and qualitative data.