Chapter III

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Methodology is a way through which we conduct our study .The purpose of

research is to study the self determination of visually handicapped children. This deals

with the type of research, population, sample, instrument development , procedure of the

study, introduction of collection of data and analysis of data.

A. Sample

Sample comprised of 20 parents and their visually handicapped children studying at

the institute for blinds Dera Ghazi Khan Pakistan. Before enrolment, to determine

their eligibility for admission to the institute, all the children were referred to an Eye

Specialist at the District Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan, who labeled them as visually

handicapped. Apart from this medical diagnosis, the children were further checked

with the Adaptive Behavior Checklist (ABC).It indicated that they were experiencing

difficulties in completing many simple activities of their daily lives, such as self-help

(eating, toilet training, washing, dressing), and socialization (taking turns, waiting,

learning responsibility).

The age ranges of the subjects were 8-13 years. The fathers’ ages ranged from 34 to

51 years. In the sample the fathers of the twelve children were businessmen, while the

other eight fathers were in government service. Five fathers in the sample had

received no formal education. Of the remaining fifteen, one father was a university

graduate, while the education of others ranged from primary to higher secondary

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level. Age ranges of the mothers were 26-51years.All of the mothers were house

wives. Three mothers were educated up to primary, middle, and secondary levels

respectively, while the remaining seventeen mothers had no formal education. All of

the children were living in joint families. Their monthly family income ranged from

rupees 2500- 8000. The number of people in the family ranged from 5 to 10 numbers.

Type of Research

The type of research was descriptive. It was conducted through survey with the

help of questionnaire.

Population

The population of the study included all the parents and teachers of the 50

visually handicapped children .

Instrument

In order to collect the data a questionnaire for parents comprising 20 questions was

developed. These questions were related to parental perception of educational facilities

and services provided to their children by the institute for blinds and parent’s professional

partnership. The questionnaire contained some open ended questions also.

The questionnaire dealt with the following areas:

1. Parental reaction to the educational services and facilities provided in the institute for

blinds.

2. Parental satisfaction with the services and staff of the institute.

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3. Parental reaction to the program in general and their interest in education of their

children.

Instrument Development

On the basis of literature review, the researchers developed the questionnaire

under the supervision of Chairperson & Member of thesis committee .The questionnaire

intended to measure the deficiency of self determination of children with mental

retardation. It consisted of 27 items. On each item the parents & the teachers were

respond on two-point scale (ranging from 1 to 2, i.e., 2=Yes, 1= No).

Some exemplary questions are given below with the same above mentioned

options.

Procedure of the Study

The following procedure was adopted to conduct this research. First of all a questionnaire

was delivered and collected personally in the similar way, from the parents of the visually

impaired children studying at the Institute for the blinds, Dera Ghazi Khan Pakistan.

After setting the objectives describing significance & stating questionnaire the

researcher reviewed the related literature, Then on the basis of the hypothetical

framework & literature review the instrument was developed by the researcher and

validated by the supervisor of thesis committee.

The researcher personally distributed the questionnaire among the 50 respondents

(i.e parents, teachers of the children with mental retardation)in order to obtain the require

information. The purpose of research was fully explained to the respondents. In the case

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of uneducated respondents, the researcher completed their questionnaire by asking

question from the respondents and recorded their responses on their behalf.

Questionnaire was given to the respondents. They were ask to read the

instructions given on the questionnaire carefully. Researcher elaborated the instructions

verbally to the uneducated respondents.

After data collection the data was tabulated and analyzed to approach finding &

conclusion the recommendation were given on the basis of finding & conclusions.

Limitation of the Study

1. Researcher has developed the questionnaire by herself, which is not a

standardized instrument. It may effect on the result.

2. Random sampling was not used in the study.

Delimitation of the Study

1. Due to shortage of time the sample was delimited up to 50 only.

2. The sample was delimited to Lahore city.

3. The sample was delimited to some institutions of Lahore city.

Data Analysis/Statistical Analysis

Data were displayed using tabular form. Percentages and averages were calculated for the

purpose of analysis and interpretation of data.

After the raw data collection answers to the questionnaire was coded through coding

schemes. Responses to each statement of the questionnaire were tabulated, analyzed &

interpreted .The result was given in the form of percentage and table .At the end, the

researcher had given some possible recommendation.

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