Chapter 3 : Methodology

3.1 Introduction

This chapter presents the methodology utilized in this study. In particular, research

design, research hypotheses, population and sample, instruments, data collection procedures,

data analysis procedures, and ethics will be discussed.

3.2 Research Design

This study employed cross-sectional study. Cross-sectional study makes comparisons

at single point in time. Study design depends greatly on the nature of the research question. In

other words, knowing what kind of details the study should collect is a first pace in

determining how the study will be carried out. Cross-sectional is an observational study. This

means that researchers record information about their subjects without manipulating the study

environment. In this study, we would measure the students time management and students

English performance. In this cross-sectional study would not ask students to change their

style of time management or advise them to modify their behaviour.

Cross-sectional study design is that it allows researchers to compare many different

variables at the same time. For example, look at age, gender, income and educational level in

relation to students time management and students English performance.

3.3 Population and Sample

The population of this study includes all 14 years old and 15 years old students in

government school and private school. The selected school was conveniently sampled from

private school and government school in Kuala Lumpur. Even though it is important for the

researcher to draw generalization to the whole population, however for some reasons the

probabilistic sampling was not chosen for this study. The convenience sampling technique

was chosen because first of all the design of this study is a cross-sectional study and due to

nature of the design, students are no assigned randomly. Another reason for choosing this

sampling method is because the school principal gave the researcher permission to conduct

the research there. Moreover this sampling technique enables the researcher to achieve the

sample size in a relatively fast inexpensive way.

61students from private school been selected from private school took part in this

study and another 39 students from government school. The samples from both government

school and private school with sum of 100 samples took part in Students time management

and students performance in English among private and government schools study. Based on

Barry & Nelson (1979) stated that minimum of 15 samples in order to conduct a study. In this

study, there are 61 samples from private school and 39 from government school. The private

school has a total student population of 750 students while government school has a total

student population of 800 students. The researcher randomly selected two classes. Samples

from two intact classes were selected among private school and government school. The

samples who took part in this study consist of 31 males and 69 females.
3.4 Instruments

3.4.1 Validity and reliability of Instrument

The quality of the instruments use in research is very important for the conclution

researchers draw based on the details they obtain using these instruments; therefore, the

validity and reliability of the instrument are two essential elements that must be carefully

established in an instrument used by researcher. (Gay, Mills, & Airsian,2009)

3.4.2 Validity of the Instruments

According to Gay et al. (2009), validity means the extent to which an instrument

measures what it is intended to measure. There are four different forms of validity, namely

content validity, criterion-related validity, constructs validity and consequential validity.

Validity of instrument is basic of quantitative research (Amstrong, Gosling, Weinman,

Marteau, 1997). Based on Selma (2002) Time management questionnaire was used to

measure time management.

3.4.3 Reliability of the Instruments

Cronbachs alpha (or coefficient alpha), developed by Lee Cronbach in 1951, is a way

to measure reliability, or internal consistency of a psychometric instrument. Reliability tests,

like Cronbachs alpha, are most commonly used to see if questionnaires with multiple Likert

scale questions are reliable. These questions are designed to measure latent variables. A latent

variable is a hidden or unobservable variable, like a persons conscientiousness, neurosis or

openness. These variables are notoriously difficult to actually measure; Cronbachs alpha will

tell you if the test you have designed is accurately measuring the latent variable you are
interested in. Reliability is how well a test consistently measures what it is supposed to

measure. According to Gay et al. (2009), reliability is defined as the degree to which a test

consistently measures whatever it is measuring. The reliable measures will be constantly

consistent in values even though after multiple measurements. The result of the pilot test

established the reliability of time management. The pilot test participants were fifthteen from

private school and fifthteen from government school. Cronbach Alpha was used to measure

the reliability of the instrument.

A rule of thumb for interpreting alpha for dichotomous questions (i.e. questions with two

possible answers) or Likert scale questions is:

Table 3.1 Cronbachs Alpha table

In general, a score of more than 0.7 is considered acceptable although some authors suggest

higher values of 0.90-0.95 should be the norm. Some of the authors like Cohen, Manion, &

Marrison (2007) considered a minimum value for reliability is 0.60. Reliability of this study

was produced by using Statistic Package For Social Science (SPSS Version 23.)
3.5 Pilot Study

In order to test the reliability of the instrument used for this study, time management

questionnaire was used to get the information from 30 samples government and private

school. Researcher gave instruction to the samples before samples answering the

questionnaire. 20 minutes given to the samples to finish total of twenty six instruments. After

the questionnaire been done by thirty samples from both private school and government

school, data had been analysed using SPSS. The table 3.2

Table 3.2: Reliability Statistic

N of Items Cronbachs Alpha

26 .788

Cronbachs Alpha for thirty samples both from private school and government school

showed .788 for twenty six items of time management questionnaire. Conbachs Alpha = .788

reached conventional standard for scale reliability. Based on authors like Cohen, Manion, &

Marrison (2007), Cronbachs Alpha with .788 consider as acceptable internal consistency.

3.6 Procedure
 Before this study carry on in both private school and government school, researchers

write in the letter to principals of the school to get the permission to conduct a study in the

school. After the principal give permission, researcher will start to discuss with the person in

charge in the school to explain the procedure when conduct this study.

Samples will be ready by the person in charge in both private school and government

school to fulfil the requirement of this study. After discussion, time and date are planned by

the researchers and notice given to the person in charge to inform the samples and prepare the

venue to conduct the study. Letter of agreement will sign by the students and their parent

mean they understand the purpose of this study and agree to involve and contribute to this

study.

The time management questionnaire was conducted involved 14 years old and 15

years old students. Before time management questionnaire given to the samples, researcher

will explain the procedure and go through the meaning of all the items in time management

questionnaire. Samples will be given twenty minutes to finish the time management

questionnaire. After samples finished all the items given, researcher will check either the

samples miss out any part of the items in time management questionnaire.

Researchers start to key in the data of time management questionnaire into Statistic

Package For Social Science (SPSS Version 23.) Data were being analysed using inferential

statistic.
 Table 3.3 Statistical tests and procedures

N Research Questions Statistic

o
1 Is there any significant differences
Independent t-test
between students time management
in private school and government
school ?
2 Is there any significant differences
between students English Independent t-test
performance in private school and
government school ?
3 Is there any significant relationship
between students time management Pearson Correlatio
and their English performance in
private school and government
school ?