RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ONTHE EVALUATION OF PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGIES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT”

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1     Research Design

          The research design used for the purpose of this study was the survey design. Ihejiria and Omego (2011) sees survey as involving the study of a sample taken from a population in order to know their major characteristics which can be generalized to the whole population (p.67). survey research attempts to measure the practices and preferences of a specific public by tabulating the response to a standardized series of questions. Such research has become an essential basis assessing a public’s actions and opinion. It is on this basis that this design appeared suitable or appropriate for the purpose of this work.

3.2     Research Population

          The population for this research included male and female adult staff and students above 18 years and above in the university of Port Harcourt. To arrive at our sample size, Taro Yamani formula was used, and the population of respondents uniport is put at 90, 800.

3.3     Sampling Technique

          Cluster sampling formed our sampling technique. The reason for adopting cluster sampling was to ensure equal opportunity and representation without any biased notion in the selection of population sample. To arrive at our sample size, Taro Yamani formula was used. The formula states that:

n        =           N

                   1+N(e)²

n        =       9,0800

                   1+9,0800 (0.05)²

n        =       9,0800

                   1+9,0800 (0.0025)

n        =       9,0800

                   1+36.6025

n        =       9,0800

                   37.6025

n        =       399.97

          Therefore,  the sample size of this study was 400

Where N     =       Research population

          n        =       Sample size

          e        =       Confidence

3.4     Research Instrument

          The questionnaire was used as the research instrument for this work. This is because it is more convenient and most suitable for the purpose of a survey research and enables easy collection and analysis of available data.

3.5     Method of Data Collection

          Four hundred (400) copies of the questionnaire were personally administered to the respondents. The questionnaire was evenly administered the four sample departments, namely: Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, Department of English Studies, Department of Foreign Languages and Department of History and Diplomatic Studies. These departments were selected because of the ease of accessibility they provide to the researcher.

3.6     Method of Data Analysis

          Data gathered through the administering copies of the questionnaire were presented using simple percentage tables. This was to help provide a graphic representation of the response. The data were analyze using the simple percentage/frequency method. Influences were drawn from the analysis which formed the basis for conclusions.

          The formula that will be used for the analysis in percentage is given below:

%      = x/y x 100/1

x        =       Observed response

y        =       Total response

%      =       Percentage