The other criteria to be used in the selection of the institutions of higher learning are their length of existence and size. Data collection plans

Data is to be collected using questionnaires and triangulation is to be used in the process. This means that both qualitative and quantitative techniques of data collection are to be used in order to increase the chances of getting valid results (Jick, 1979).

The following sources of information will be consulted;

Academic journals such as Library Review, Update, Library Trend and Program

Online databases and gateways such as BIDS, OCLC, BUBL, OMNI, ProQuests, Academic Complete and EBSCOHOST

Regulatory bodies

Online journals

Books that are relevant to the research and trends in the sector of higher education

Quantitative data collection

Quantitative data is to be collected using questionnaires that are to be administered to the respondents in a six-month period. The questionnaires are appropriate instruments for collecting data related to administrative issues (Ashkanasy, Broadfoot and Falkus,2000).

Reliability and validity of data collection instruments

The reliability of the questionnaires concerns their ability to produce the exact same results if subjected to similar tests repeatedly. This is however not possible in practice. The major threat to reliability in the case of questionnaires is the use of very long and ambiguous questions. The reliability of the questionnaires is therefore achieved by choosing extremely devoted respondents who have consistent level of interest as well as concentration in the whole period when the research is being carried out.

The validity of the questionnaires is used to measure the level at which the questions that are asked reflect the true measure of the phenomena they are meant to measure. Various threats to validity and reliability of a given questionnaires are mostly likely to creep in case a bias is introduced. So as to ensure that the survey instruments employed yield reliable and valid data the following steps are to be followed as recommended by Grinnel and Unrau (2005)

Table 1

The Initial Steps as well as Factors to be Considered in the development of Survey Instrument

Steps in the Survey Research

The Major Tasks as well Factors to be taken into consideration

Planning phase

1. Definition of the research the problem domain;

2. Definition of the research questions as well as hypotheses;

3. Operational definition of all the variables;

4. Development of the survey design to be employed.

Development as well as the Application of Sampling Plan

1. Definition of the study population;

2. Identification of the study subpopulations;

3. Detailed of the sampling procedures;

4. Selection of the sample.

Construction of Interview Schedule (Questionnaire)

1. Development of the questions or the selection of measurement instrument;

2. Development of the anticipated analysis procedures;

3. Pretest of the instrument;

4. Revision of the questions (should be carried out as often).

Data Collection

1.The Implementation of the interviews,, inventories, questionnaires tests as well as observations schedules;

2.Study follow-ups;

3. The initial tabulation as well as coding.

Translation of the Data gathered

1. Construction of the category systems as appropriate;

2. The technical preparation of the data for analysis.

Analysis

1. The separate analyses of the questions; either individually or in specified groups;

2. The synthesis as well as interpretation of results.

Conclusions to the research, Reporting, Etc.

Source: Grinnell & Unrau ( 2005,p. 273).

Results of pilot studies

The pilot studies are to be carried out in five universities and will involve fifteen employees; five at the managerial level and ten from the lower management levels.The other participants in this study are thirty five students from the five universities. The obtained results are to be utilized in the prediction and aligning of the main research processes.

The proposed analysis of the data

The analysis and the evaluation techniques employed here include the use of standard statistical package (SPSS) to be used for the examination of the associations, cross-tabulation and groupings that may emerge via a factor analysis. In the case of a qualitative data analysis, a special data analysis software package is to be used in aiding to code as well as the derivation of themes from the data collected in the interviews.

Outcomes

The results of the analysed data such as the mean and variance from the quantitative study are to be used in the making of the deductions on the research objectives and for testing the hypothesis. The final outcomes of this research project are to be used;

1. As evidence for the guidelines used for gauging and improving the level of risk management and in activating administrative functions for the sake of improving the

As guidelines to be used by administrators and stakeholders in the management of higher education institutions
Implications and limitations

This research is to be used in improving the effectiveness of running and managing risks in institutions of higher learning. It is also to aid in the improvement of the level of administration in the various institutions of learning.

The main limitations to this research would include time, geographical disparity and funds.

Resources Needed

A number of resources are needed in order to complete this research. These include computers to be utilized for statistical analysis. The computer is to be loaded with statistical analysis software for the qualitative data analysis. The resources that are important for the process of collecting quantitative data are mobile phones as well as modems used for connecting the computers for mailing the components.

Personnel

The research would require the help of a research assistant. Their work would begin at the pilot studies and extent through to data collection and the final analysis of the collected data.

This research would require a research assistant to aid in the conducting of the pilot studies, the main study and the collection and the analysis of the obtained data

Needed assurances/clearances

Prior to initiating the research, permission and clearance must be sort from the various institutions of higher learning. This research must also be carried out in compliance with the state, federal and local guidelines.

Study Timetable

The tentative timetable to be used for the proposed study is shown in the Table 2 below;

Table 2

Tentative Timetable for the Proposed Study

ACTIVITIES/TASKS

TIME (MONTHS) (2011)

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

1

Bibliographical Searches

X

2

Photocopy information from various non-bibliographic sources

X

3

Reading of relevant materials

X

4

Submission of research proposal

X

5

Fine tuning of the research question as well as the methodology

X

X

8

Collection of data

X

X

9

Analysis of data

X

X

10

Writing up of the dissertation

X

X

11

Revising, editing as well as submission

X

12

Submission of the completed dissertation

X

X

Budget

The budget was derived after a careful evaluation of the research components and duration. Ingersoll & Eberhard (1999) pointed out that the main determinant of the size of the budget is the scope of the project

Expense

Cost per unit

# of units

Total Proposed

Notes

travel $2,500

2

$5,000

This is based on the quoted fares to various institutions that are located in dispersed locations from my location hostel

$50

40

$2,000

Daily rate for hostels in cities

subsistence $40

40

$1,600

Daily rate for meals as well as incidental expenses in various cities where the universities are located communication

$70

40

$2,800

Average cost for phone as well as internet stationery

$1,200

For the supplies such papers, printing fee etc.

Total

$12,600