Global Journal of Management and Business Research, A: Administration and Management, Volume 22 Issue 4

H o 3: There is no significant relationship between principals’ academic qualifications and their attitudes towards provision of Guidance and Counselling services and maintenance of discipline in secondary schools. H o 4: There is no significant relationship between principals’ teaching and administrative experiences and their attitudes towards provision of Guidance and Counselling services and maintenance of discipline in secondary schools. VII. R esearch M ethodology This section of the study details the research methodology which is the blueprint that guided the collection and analysis of data. It describes the research design, Targeted Population, Research Instruments and also how the Validity and Reliability of the Instruments used were tested. This study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods in an Ex-Post Facto design. Kerlinger, (1986) defines an Ex-Post Facto design as being a system of empirical inquiry in which the scientist does not have direct control over independent variables because their manifestations have already occurred or because inherently they cannot be manipulated. Independent variables such as age, sex, teaching experience, administrative experience, training, teacher-counsellors’ qualifications and principals’ and students’ attitudes towards guidance and counselling services were investigated in retrospect for the possible relationship to and effect on dependent variable, that is, maintenance of discipline in schools. Besides, this design was used because the study intended to explore into possible causes and effects in relationship among the above given variables which in nature cannot be manipulated by the researcher. Kerlinger, then further says that¸ this design is recommended for educational and social research under which this research belongs. a) Target Population Nyamira County had 166 secondary schools which existed either as mixed boarding, mixed day, and single gender boarding and day schools. The study used a total of eighty (80) principals to complete the questionnaires and also to provide information through interview and observation schedules. All the respondents were secondary school principals of schools in Nyamira District drawn from both public and private schools. b) Research Instruments Data for this study was collected from respondents using principals’ questionnaire, interview and observation schedules. The questionnaire was divided into three major sections. Section 1 sought background information on the principal and school. There were nine (9) items that sought information on the principal’s gender, age, academic qualifications, teaching experiences and administrative experience. Section 2 had items on principal’s attitude towards guidance and counselling while Section three (3) sought data on the importance of guidance and counselling services in facilitating school discipline. c) Validity of Instruments Content validity was done by using the results of the pilot study. The researcher therefore had the instruments appraised and amended by two experts in the area of study. Piloting enhanced the dependability, accuracy and adequacy of the instruments since the responses from the respondents indicated whether the instruments measured what they purported to measure. Through pilot study, ambiguities in the questions asked were done away with before the actual study was carried out. d) Reliability of the Instruments In establishing the reliability of the instruments, the researcher used Spearman Brown Prophecy whose formula is as shown below: Reliability = 2 Reliability of ½ r 1 + ½ = 2 0.9 1 + 0.9 = 0.47368421 x 2 = 0.94736842 The reliability for the principal’s questionnaire was then found to be 0.95. The researcher used the split- half method to determine the Coefficient of Internal Consistency or reliability coefficient whose values varied between 0.00 and +1.00. The closer the value was to +1.00, the stronger was the congruency measure as observed by (Adamms, 2006). Therefore, charging from the above calculation, the questionnaire was found to have a value of 0.9 and above which is closer to +1.00 implying that the instrument was reliable. VIII. L iterature R eview This section presents a literature review by various scholars and the Equity Theory of Work Motivation to which the study is anchored and which therefore is relevant to the stated research hypotheses. Besides, the literature reviewed mainly focuses on the themes developed from the objectives of the study. As observed by Farmer, 2005, Theory has been both celebrated and condemned in educational practice and research. Many proponents have argued that theory allows and even forces us to see the big picture and makes it possible for us to view our practice and our research from a broader perspective than envisioned from the murky trenches of our practice. This broader perspective helps us make connections with the work of others, facilitates coherent frameworks and deeper understanding of our actions, and perhaps most importantly, allows us to transfer the experience gained Principals’ Attitudes on Guidance and Counselling Services and Maintenance of Discipline in Secondary Schools of Nyamira County, Kenya 18 Global Journal of Management and Business Research Volume XXII Issue IV Version I Year 2022 ( ) A © 2022 Global Journals