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Quantitative research
Quantitative research is an inquiry that is concerned with numerical representation and manipulation of observations and responses for the purpose of describing and explaining the phenomena that those observations and responses reflect (Babbie, 2008:443). Put differently, Blanche et al. (2006:563) define quantitative research as research in which data are collected or coded into numerical forms, and to which statistical analyses may be applied to determine the significance of the findings.
Mouton‟s (2006) argument in favour of a quantitative research method for analytical study is partly the reason for my choice of a mixed research design. Mouton recommends that a quantitative research method is appropriate for analytical research because it involves scientific analysis. As a researcher with a background in economics and with adequate knowledge of statistics, I believe like other quantitative researchers that measuring the properties of phenomena (e.g. the attitudes and performance of individuals with regard to a certain topic) should be through quantitative measurement, that is, by assigning numbers to the perceived qualities of variables (Pidgeon, 1995:438). With this, the formulated hypothesis (HO1, HO2 and HO3) can be scientifically tested (Whitley, 2002:344). Moreover, quantitative research is highly formalised and explicitly controlled, and its range is more exact (Mouton & Marais, 1999:155–156; De Vos et al., 2007).
CHAPTER ONE : OVERVIEW 1
1.1 Introduction .
1.2 Background to the study
1.3 Statement of the problem
1.4 Purpose of the study
1.5 Rationale for the study
1.6 Research questions
1.7 Research hypotheses
1.9 Philosophical assumptions
1.10 Organisation of this thesis
CHAPTER TWO : LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Higher education and women in Africa
2.2.1 Introduction and background
2.2.2 African higher education in historical perspective
2.2.3 Transformation of African higher education: integration of women
2.2.4 Millennium development goal 3
2.2.5 Challenges for African higher education transformation
2.2.6 Women’s role in higher education development in Africa
2.2.7 Conclusion
2.3 Higher education in Nigeria
2.4 Enrolment of women students to higher education
2.5 Women‟s academic performance in higher education
2.6 Gender and culture
2.6.1 Understanding culture from a gender standpoint
2.7 Culture and women: an African view
2.7.1 Lobola and culture
2.7.2 The rhetoric of culture and the experience of culture
2.7.3 Conclusion
2.8 Historical and political accounts of culture in Nigeria
2.8.1 Conclusion
2.9 Cultural practices in Nigeria
2.9.1 Introduction and background
2.9.2 Types of cultural practice
2.9.3 Other cultural practices
2.9.3.1 40 days stay at home for post-natal women
2.9.3.2 Widowhood practices
2.9.3.3 Wife inheritance practice
2.9.3.4 Wife beating
2.9.4 Marriage in Nigeria
2.9.5 Feminised domestication
2.9.6 Conclusion
2.10 Summary of the literature
CHAPTER THREE : THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
CHAPTER FOUR : RESEARCH DESIGN
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 Purpose of the study restated
4.1.2 Research questions restated
4.1.2.1 Sub research questions restated
4.1.3 Research hypotheses restated
4.2 Research design
4.2.1 Introduction
4.2.2 Research design and method
4.2.3 Quantitative research
4.2.4 Qualitative research
4.2.5 Mixed research design: The researcher‟s choice
4.3 Data collection method
4.3.1 Research instruments
4.3.1.1 Quantitative research instruments
4.3.1.2 Qualitative research instruments
4.3.1.2.1 Focus group interview
4.3.1.2.2 Focus Group Conversation
4.3.1.2.3 Recording the focus group conversation
4.3.1.2.4 Interview Protocol
4.4 Population of the study
4.5 Sample and sampling technique
4.5.1 The respondents and participants
4.5.2 Accessing the respondents and participants
4.6 Validity and reliability
4.6.1 Validity
4.6.1.1 Validity in quantitative research
4.6.1.2 Validity in qualitative research
4.6.1.3 Validity in quantitative and qualitative research combined.
4.6.2 Reliability
4.7 Method of data analysis
4.7.1 Method of quantitative data analysis
4.7.1.1 The questionnaire and response rate
4.7.1.1.1 Response rate in quantitative research
4.7.1.1.2 Method of qualitative data analysis
4.7.1.1.3 Response rate in qualitative research
4.8 Delimitation of the study and rationale for research sites
4.9 Ethical considerations
4.9.1 Ethical consideration in planning the research:
4.9.2 Ethical considerations during data collection
4.9.3 Ethical consideration following data collection:
4.10 Conclusion
CHAPTER FIVE : QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Frequencies procedures and outputs
5.3 Testing hypothesis 1
5.4 Decision
5.5 Testing hypothesis 2
5.6 Decision
5.7 Testing hypothesis 3
5.8 Decision
5.9 Summary of results
5.10 Discussions of findings with respect to hypotheses
5.10.1 Hypothesis 1:
5.10.2 Hypothesis 2
5.10.3 Hypothesis 3
CHAPTER SIX : QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Focus group conversations
6.3 Conversation at the college of education
6.4 Conversation at the Lagos State University
6.5 Reflections and discussions on focus group conversation
6.6 Interview protocol
6.7 Theme 1: Higher education for women students as a need.
6.8 Theme 2: The situation of academic performance of women students in higher education.
6.9 Theme 3: The impact of cultural practices on academic performance of women students in higher education.
6.10 Theme 4: The educational support and challenges for women students in higher education.
6.11 Responses to research questions
6.11.1 Introduction
6.11.2 What are the dominant cultural practices that impact the education of married women in Nigeria?
6.11.3 What are the key trends in the academic performance of married women students in higher education in Nigeria?
6.11.4 What are the differences/similarities in the academic performance of married women students and single women students in Nigerian higher education?
6.12 Conclusion
CHAPTER SEVEN : ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION
