RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DATA PRESENTATION ON IMPACT OF OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE ON RADIO: A STUDY OF RADIO RIVERS 99.1FM”.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0     Introduction

          Methodology deals with methods of carrying out a study. In order to find out the truth to a problem, certain steps have to be taken in a systematic way. Research methodology in mass communication deals with the collection of relevant data and analysis of such data by the use of scientific approach. Hence, the method used in this study involves the following:

3.1     Research Design

3.2     Research Population

3.3     Sampling Techniques/Size

3.4     Research Instrument

3.5     Method of Data analysis

3.1     Research Design

          Survey research method was used in carrying out this study because of its suitability to the nature of the research at hand. Okoro (2001:41) describes survey thus: survey are useful in the measurement of public opinion, attitudes and orientations which are dominant among a large population at a particular period. In the same vein, Obasi (1999:132) states that survey research is a population through either questionnaire or interview instruments and subjecting such data to statistical analysis for the purpose of drawing conclusion.

3.2     Research Population    

          The population of this study specified the total number of members of a group or all the possible observations of the same type. Thus, the population of the research comprises residence of Rivers State who have access to radio and receive the signal of 99.1FM.The population size of the respondent is 220 but only 200 returned.

3.3     Sampling Technique/size

          Smith (1998:78) describes sample as a group selected from a larger population and represent larger population from which it is taken. The simple random sampling technique of survey research was used as a way of ensuring the sample size.

          The reason for adoption of random sampling method is to ensure equal opportunity and representation without any biased intentions in the selection of the population’s sample size.

3.4     Research Instrument

          Here, the procedure that was suitable for the collection of data was the questionnaire. The questionnaire contains the responses of the respondent for detailed clarification.

3.5     Method of Data Analysis

          Data gathered through the administrating copies of the questionnaires will be presented using simple percentage tables. This is to help provide a graphic representation of the responses. The data were analyzed using the simple percentage/frequency method. Inferences were drawn from the analysis which formed the base for conclusions. The formula that will be used for the analysis in percentage is given below:

%      = X/Y

Where,

X= Observed response   

Y= Total response

%= Percentage

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.0     Introduction

          This chapter deals with the presentation and analysis of the data gathered from the field survey. The analysis is expected to reveal the impact of ownership structure on the programme content of radio. The data are presented in tables below. The researcher administered a total of 220 copies of the questionnaire but only 200 copies were returned.

4.1     Data Presentation

The table below shows the sex distribution of respondents

Table 1: Gender respondents

Sex	Number of respondents	Percentage (%)
Male	105	52.5
Female	95	47.5
Total	200	100

          Table 1 above shows that 105 (52.5%) of the respondents are male while 95(47.5%) are female

Table 2: Age distribution of respondents

Age	Number of respondents	Percentage (%)
20-25	60	30
26-30	40	20
31-35	65	32.5
36 and above	35	16
Total	200	100

          Table 2 above shows respondents between 20-25 years are 60 indication 30% of the total respondents. The table also show that 40 respondents indication 20% are between 26-30 years of age while 65 respondent indication 32.5% are from 31-35 years. The remaining 35 respondents indicating 16% are 36 years and above.

Table 3: Marital Status of respondents

Marital status	Number of respondents	Percentage (%)
Married	65	32.5
Single	135	67.5
Total	200	100

          Table 3 above shows that 65 (32.5%) of the respondents are married while 135 (67.5%) are single.

Table 4: Access to radio set                                                                

Variables	Number of respondents	Percentage (%)
Yes	200	100
Female	-	-
Total	200	100

          Table 4 above shows that all 200 respondents have access to radio.

Table 5: Respondents listenership to radio

Variables	Number of respondents	Percentage (%)
Regularly	87	43.5
Rarely	64	32
Never	49	24.5
Total	200	100

          Table 5 above shows that 87 respondents indicating 43.5% listens to Radio Rivers regularly while 64 respondents indicating 32% listens to Radio Rivers rarely. The remaining 49 respondents indicating 24.5% said they never listen to Radio Rivers FM.

Table 6: Participation in any programme

Variables	Number of respondents	Percentage (%)
News	90	48
Sports	45	22.5
Entertainment	30	18
Discussion	35	17.5
Total	200	100

          Table 3 above shows that 90 respondents, representing 45% enjoy news programmes. 45 respondents, constituting 22.5% enjoy the sport programme. A total of 30 respondents representing 15% enjoy entertainment while 35 respondents constituting 17.5% enjoy discussion programme.

Table 7: Listenership participation in programmes

Variables	Number of respondents	Percentage (%)
Yes	60	3
No	60	70
Total	200	100

          Table 7 above shows that 60 respondents (30%) have participated in programme on Radio Rivers FM programme while 140(70%) have never participated.

Table 8: Respondents responses to the question: Does the fact that Radio Rivers is owned by the government affect the programme content?

Variables	Number of respondents	Percentage (%)
Yes	66	33
No	94	47
Total	200	100

          Table 8 above shows that 66 respondents (33%) agrees that the fact that Radio Rivers is owned by the government affects the programme content. 94(47%) respondents said No, however 40 (20%) said sometimes it does affect the programme content.

Table 9: Ownership structure affecting the proramme content

Variables	Number of respondents	Percentage (%)
The choice of programme	95	47.5
It’s on air personality	45	22.5
Its news bulletin	60	30
Total	200	100

          Table 9 above shows that 95 respondents (47.5%) agree that ownership structure affects the choice of programme being aired. Also, 45 respondents (22.5%) said, it’s on air personality. Only 60 respondents (30%) said its news bulletin.

Table 10: Respondents response to question (10)

Variables	Number of respondents	Percentage (%)
Yes	109	54.5
No	91	45
Total	200	100

          Table 10 above shows that 109 respondents indicating 54.5% agrees that private owned radio stations are different from government owned radio stations, while 91 respondents indicating (45%) disagree.

Table 11: Response to question (11)

Variables	Number of respondents	Percentage (%)
Good	76	38
Excellent	74	37
Poor	50	25
Total	200	100

          Table 11 above shows that 76 respondents indicating (38%) think the impact of ownership structure is good. Also, 74 respondents indicating (37%) think that the impact is excellent. While the remaining 50 respondents indicating 25% think they impact is poor.

4.2     Data Analysis

          This study identified four research questions that would help provide answers to the questions listed in chapter one for this study the questions will be answered in this section using the data presented in tables 1-11.

Research question one

What is the impact of ownership on radio programmes?

          Items on the questionnaire will be used to provide answers to this question.

          To answer this question, data presented in table 11 were used to answer this question. In table 11 respondents were asked; What is the extent of the impact of ownership on Radio programme content. The result shows that 38% (76) of the respondents said “Good” while 37% (74) of the respondents said the impact of ownership on radio programme content is “excellent”. The remaining 25% (50) of the respondent think the impact is “poor”.

Research question two

Do the owners of the radio station determine the contents?

          In response to research question two data presented in table 8 was used to provide answers to this question.

          Table 8 shows that 33% of the respondents think that the owners of radio station determine the content of the programmes. Also, 47% (94) of the respondents do not think that the owners determine the content while the remaining 20% (40) think sometimes the owners of radio stations determine the content to suit themselves.

Research question three        

How does various owners structure their programme?

          In response to research question 3 table 9 was used to answer this question. Table 9 shows that 47.5% (95) of the respondent think various owners structure their programme through the choice of programme being aired. Also, 22.5% (45) of the respondent think owners structure their programme through its on air personality while the remaining 30% (60) respondents think its through its news bulletin.

Research question four

Does the programme in government owned stations differ from that of the private owners?

          In response to research question 4 data presented in table 10 was used to answer this question: In table 1 respondents were asked do you feel that proramme content of private owned radio stations is different from government radio station? 54.5% (109) of the respondents said Yes to the question while the remaining 45% (91) said No.