bPopulation can however be defined as a group of people, animals or objects intended for me by the

researcher. It can be differed depending on the researcher's best intended proup for example age,
height, sex, religion and grade to mention a few. The population in the study compris of twenty-seven
girls and twenty-two boys in grade three at Nyatsanza primary school.

3.4. SAMPLING PROCEDURES AND SAMPLE

SAMPE

Asample is a small part of anything or one member intended to show quality or style of nature of the
whole specimen sample in statistics is a group drawn from a large population and to use estimate the
characteristi of the whole population or opinion. Polls use small groups of people often selected at
random as a sample of th options general public ( Hughton 2010) Brook(2013) cited in study com
postulates that a sample of study can have a profound impact on the outcome of a study. In this case
the more samples available, the more results cultivated and researcher will grow confidence in her
research as results prove the intended outcomes. Hence astray if wrong sample have been picked up for
that particular research. Problems may arise if researcher fail to choose his samples correctly through
they are picked randomly for sampling.

SAMPLING PROCEDURES

It is the process of selecting a number of individuals from a population preferably in such away that the
individuals selected represent the large qroup from which they are selected. Borg and Gall(1989)
advocate that sampling means selecting a given number of subjects or areas from a defined population
as representatives of that population. This means that the researcher had to sample the learner s when
he was collecting data on the impact of using concrete media at grade three level. Gay(1998) states that,
" random sampling is the process of selecting a sample in such a way that all individuals in the defined
popilation have an equal and independent chance of being selected for sample. The researcher
therefore did the best in trying to sample learners randomly. The researcher had a class of twenty-seven
girls and twenty-two boys. When sampling, the researcher identified each member of the class and then
selected the individuals for the sample on a completely chance basis. The researcher wrote all the
names of the learners on pieces of paper and put them ina box then mixed them up. One learner was
asked to pick out ten names. Purposive sampling techniqu was also used to sample Head teacher and
vrade three teacher's from all grade three classes. The programme appeared to be so intresting to
learners. The learners were a group of mixed ability. This enabled the researcher to have correct
information on performance of learners at the level.

3.5 Data collection methods and instruments

Data collection methods

The researcher administratored the instruments to the respondents who were given ample time to
respond to the items before the researcher collected the questionnaires. This was to ensure
achievement of a goal return ratio and help respondents to get a chance to seek clarification on items
which might have proved difficult used interviews, document analy2and observation methods. This will
include specific details regarding the overall chronological plan of data collections, the respondents
including infomation on the children taught. Definitio of interview, document analysis and observation
are to be gi en below.

INTERVIEW

The interview method is a method that involves people physically. Interviews are carried out either one
on one or as a group. But since the researcher is more concerned about ethics she prefers to use a one
on one method is straight forward conversation. It is more like a dialogue. The researcher used this
method as he finds it as the one most effective way of collecting data. Since it is like a dialogue, the
participants can ask where ever. They do not understand and the researcher's task is to clarify areas of
concern raised. Interview method can have a set of questions and responses recorded orhave questions
modified during the interview. This is called structured and semi structured interview method.
Positively, interview method is straight forward conversation and allows participants toask where they
do not understand. Participants can tell the researcherabout issues personally without sort of interview
questions. It is a very common way of human interaction and can be structured or semi structured.
However, interview is time consuming and participants may shy away to speak directly.

Document analysis

It js sometimes called content analysis. According to Hagedone(1993),"document analysis is a systemic

procedure of examining the content of recorded information. Giddens(2001),says that document
analysis is a means of using printed materials from archives or elsewhere as a source of information. The
researcher analysed some written exercises and the progress record books on some of the practical and
theory work given by the teacher. Positively, collection of data through document analysis method is
cheap since record books are at the researcher's disposal and pupil's books are readily available for the
researcher. Easier to analyse data from the content learners are taught as it test upon researcher's
interpretation and understanding of the content. Data cover a long time, thus making the content
analysis very useful for studying the performance trends. On the other hand, content used may not
contain correct information that it is time consuming and objective bias.

OBSERVATIOS METHOD

Observation is where real truth is revealed. Some observations are made with respect to some
characteristics of the behaviour of the subject employed in the research. Observation is a technique
used to collect data in a natural setting (Newman 1997) it takes cognisance of verbal and non verbal
behaviour and the researcher makes destructive notes. The guiding factor in observation is to answer to
what behaviours will be observed. This helps the researcher to observe impact of using concrete media
in the teaching and learning of science and technology at grade three level. Muwazi and Kanhukamwe
(2003) states that observational research is a descriptive technique that involves the qualitative and
quantitative analysis of observed behaviours. The researcher was exposed to the real situation where
lessons were observed as well as activities that took place. Observation method helped the researcher
to observe the impact of concrete media in the teaching and learning of science and technology at grade
three level. However observations perception, recordings memory and interpretation of events are
likely to be distorted sa the observer will have particular theoretical orientation, intrest and training.
Subjects being observed may change their normal behaviour once they are aware that they are being
observed, thereby compromising the validity of the results.

RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

Ouationnaires and observation checklist were used as instruments for the study. Observation checklist
was used to confirm the availability of teaching and learning resources. Questionnaires were used
because they are considered economical and easy to formulate and analyse. In addition, questionnaires
elicit a lot of data and gives greater depth of response. The questionnaires had both closed and open
ended items and compromised likert scale rating items. The scale was rated as strongly agree, agree,
uncertain, disagree and strongly disagree. The instrument was used to collect data from teachers and
learners on the impact of using concrete media in the teaching and learning of science and technology
among the grade threes at Nyatsanza primary school.

RELIABILITY

According to Kombo and Tromp(2006) reliability is a measure degree to which research instruments will
yield constant results after repeated trials. Orodho(2009) observes that reliability of an instrument is the
consistence in producing similar results over a period of repeated trials. To test the reliability of the
instruments, test-retest method was used. According to Orodho (2009) the following steps were
followed to test reliability of the instruments, the developed questionnaires were given to a few
individuals for the study and the answered questions were scored normally. The same questionnaires
were administered to the same group of subjects after a period of one week. The questionnaire
responses were score manually. A comparison between the answers obtained in two and four above
was made.

3.6 ETHICAL CONSIDERATION

The researcher secured a letter from Marymount Teacher's College seeking permission to undertake the
study at Nyatsanza primary school. The researcher ensured confidentiality of information given by the
respondents. This was done by using the information without mentioning the specific names of learners,
teachers and head teacher where the data was collected.

3.7 DATA ANALYSIS PROCEDURES

Primary data collected from th field was first edited and cleaned. The responses were then coded for
analysis. Coding was done to summarise the responses given by the respondents for analysis. The data
was analysed with aid of a computer and with the help of the mentor as a tool for analysis. Data was
analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages while thematic analysis technique
was used to analyse qualitative data collected using open ended questions. The analysed data were then
presented in the form of tables, pie charts and bar graphs in the next chapter.

3.8 CHAPTER SUMMARY

This chapter focued on the presentation of the research methodology, research approach, research
design, population, sampling procedures and sample data collection methods and instruments, ethical
considerations, data analysis procedures and chapter summary. Disadvantages and advantages of the
research instruments were also highlighted paving way to chapter four for data presentation,
interpretation and analysis.