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Chapter 3
Methodology
The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of selected school board members regarding the quality and condition, maintenance, and improvement and renovation of existing public school facilities.
The four purposes of this chapter are to (1) describe the research methodology of this study, (2) explain the sample selection, (3) describe the procedure used in designing the instrument and collecting the data, and (4) provide an explanation of the statistical procedures used to analyze the data.
Research Methodology
A descriptive research methodology was used for this study. A survey was administered to a selected sample from a specific population identified by the National
School Board Association. The term ‘survey’ is commonly applied to a research methodology designed to collect data from a specific population, or a sample from that population, and typically utilizes a questionnaire or an interview as the survey instrument
(Robson, 1993).
Surveys are used to obtain data from individuals about themselves, their households, or about larger social institutions (school boards). Sample surveys are an important tool for collecting and analyzing information from selected individuals. They are widely accepted as a key tool for conducting and applying basic social science research methodology (Rossi, Wright, and Anderson, 1983).
American society is familiar with the use of surveys to assess issues or project trends: marketing researchers use surveys to study consumer preference and shopping patterns (Leary, 1995). The Gallup poll on education in America is an ongoing project of
Phi Delta Kappa. Results of the annual survey are published each year in Kappan magazine. Selected American television viewers participate in the Nielson surveys,
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designed to estimate the size of various television program audiences for