1. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE IN WEST AFRICA
 A PAPER PRESENTED AT A 3 DAY TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR ENVIRONEMNTAL HEALTH TUTORS/OFFICERS IN THE WEST AFRICA SUB-REGION AT PRINCE ALICE HOTELS & HOLIDAY RESORTS LTD., BENIN-CITY FROM 17TH TO 21ST APRIL, 2018
  BY   
CHIKWE, CHRISTIAN K. Ph.D
Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni
Port Harcourt, Rivers State
 APRIL, 2018

2. Introduction
Research methodology is an important component of the research project.
It lays out the procedures and methods the researcher adopts in carrying out an investigation.
This section leads to a better interpretation of the research findings or results.
A builder who builds without a plan will have a shapeless and ugly house.
A research without methodology will lead to meaningless research that will not contribute to knowledge.
This paper therefore, takes a look at research methodology in environmental health.

3. Definitions
Research methodology: Description of the steps used in the execution of a study in environmental health.
Environmental health: Aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social, and psychological factors in the environment.

4. Importance of Research Methodology
Offers readers the opportunity to know how the data was generated. This is because the method chosen affects the interpretation of findings
To show clearly the reasons why a particular procedure was adopted for study
To allow other researchers adopt or replicate the methodology used for a particular study. This information is particularly useful when a new method has been developed or an innovative use of an existing one is utilized
The readers want to know that the data was collected or generated in a way that is consistent with acceptable practice in the field of study

5. Parts of Research Methodology in Environmental Health
Designs
Population
Sample
Instrumentation
Data Analysis

6. Research Designs Survey
Descriptive
Analytic

7. Descriptive Study
This is a detailed and quantified description of population. Surveys involve the systematic collection of data through the use of observational methods, interviews and questionnaires.
Cross-sectional studies: They collect data from samples at one point in time. The researcher collects data from different samples and studies them at a given point in time.
Longitudinal studies: These are studies that collect data on the same sample over a long period of time

8. Analytic Studies
They are studies used for testing of hypotheses concerning the relationship between variables, magnitude of the relationship and its statistical significance
Experimental designs: They seek to establish cause-and effect relationships. Two types of variables are involved, the independent and dependent variables. There are three types of experimental designs:
True- experimental designs: they involve random selection and random assignment of samples into groups of the study. The investigator has complete control over extraneous variables. Examples of this design include post-test only, pre-test-post-test only, Solomon four group, etc.
Quasi experimental designs: they are not true experimental designs because random selection and assignment into groups are not observed. Examples include non-equivalent groups, pretest-posttest designs.
Pre-experimental designs: This is the type of design where either a single group or groups are observed subsequent to treatment that presumed to cause the change There is no control group to make comparison. Example include one shot case design, posttest only, design.

9. Population Target Accessible Finite Infinite Sample Sampling unit
Sampling design
Sampling frame

10. Sample Techniques Probability and non-probability sampling techniques
Simple random sampling
Stratified random sampling
Systematic sampling
Proportionate Sampling
Cluster sampling
Multi-stage sampling

11. Sample Techniques Non-probability sampling techniques quota sampling
convenience sampling
purposive sampling

12. Instrumentation Observation Guidelines for observation Interview
Structured interview
Semi-structured interview
Unstructured interview
Guidelines for conducting a good interview
Questionnaire
Opened ended
Close ended
Guidelines in questionnaire construction

13. Data Analysis Technique
Qualitative research data analysis (Nominal and Ordinal data)
frequency count
percentages
chi-square
Quantitative research data analysis (Interval and ratio data)
mean
standard deviation
analysis of variance (ANOVA)

14. Summary
The various components of the research methodology is summarized according to Ugodulunnwa ( 2006) as follows:
Research Design
Should be appropriate
Mention design, describe it and how it is adopted in your study (i.e. plan of the design)
Population and Sample
Mention population and describe its characteristics and context
Mention and describe the distribution of sample according to study variables
Give proportion of the population that constitutes the sample

15. Sampling Technique
Mention the sampling technique(s) to be adopted and describe it
Describe how the sampling technique is applied in sample selection
Justify choice of the sampling technique
Present distribution of population and sample in a table
Instrumentation
Description of Instrument
Name each instrument to reflect what it measures
Describe the components of each instrument
Instrument Development Procedure
Indicate whether the instrument is adopted or adapted or Developed
Describe how the adoption or adaptation or development was carried out in stages
Do that for each instrument if they are more than one
Validity and Reliability

16. Data Collection
State how permission was sought from authorities to collect data from the sample
Describe how research assistants were trained and used for data collection (their number, qualification, gender, training given and why need to be provided)
Describe how each instrument was administered
Mention duration of data collection
Describe how each instrument was scored
If it is an experimental study
o Describe treatment package/intervention/programme
o Describe treatment given to the experimental group
o Describe placebo that was given to the control group
Data Analysis
Present data analysis techniques you used for each research question and/or hypothesis
Describe how and why each technique is applied

17. Thank You