HIV/AIDS

Knowledge And Perceptions Of Brunel University Postgraduate Students On HIV/AIDS

Knowledge And Perceptions Of Brunel University Postgraduate Students On HIV/AIDS

Chapter 3: Methodology

Hypothesis

H1: Africans have more knowledge and perception about the HIV.

H2: The age group of 20-25 are more knowledgeable than the population of 26-30.

H3: Females are more knowledgeable than the males.

H6: Bisexuals have a better knowledge than homosexuals and heterosexuals.

H5: Long term partners are more knowledgeable than the singles.

Research Design

This study has adopted the quantitative primary research. Quantitative research is research involving the use of structured questions where the response options have been predetermined and a large number of respondents is involved.

By definition, measurement must be objective, quantitative and statistically valid. Simply put, it's about numbers, objective hard data. A scientifically calculated sample of people from a population is asked a set of questions on a survey to determine the frequency and percentage of their responses. For example: 240 people, 79%, of a sample population, said they are more confident of their personal future today than they were a year ago. Because the sample size is statistically valid, the 79% finding can be projected to the entire population from which the sample was selected. Simply put, this is quantitative research.

The sample size for a survey is calculated by statisticians using formulas to determine how large a sample size will be needed from a given population in order to achieve findings with an acceptable degree of accuracy.

Instruments

The researcher developed a structured questionnaire/self-report with 26 questions, which included yes-no-don't know, multiple choice, Likert scale comparisons, and open-ended questions. The instrument was designed to elicit answers that addressed the five main areas to be studied: (a) General knowledge of HIV/AIDS, (b) Mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS, (c) Ways of preventing HIV/AIDS, (d) Risk perception for acquiring HIV/AIDS and (e) Brunel University measures on HIV/AIDS.

Sample and Data Collection

A pilot test was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the instrument. Four males, and 5 females, were asked to critique the survey and comment on the clarity and appropriateness of the questions. Results of the pilot test led to several modifications of the tool. The terminology was revised in a few of the questions to make the survey more ''user-friendly.

The sample consisted of 100 adolescents from Brunel University. Demographic data collected consisted of five variables: The respondent's age, the respondent's gender, the sexual orientation, ethnicity and the relationship type. There were 66 males and 34 females in the age group of 20-25 and 36-30. however there were 60 long term partner, 35 singles and 5 married. There were 89 bi-sexual, 5 heterosexual and 6 homosexual. However in ethnicity, there were 35 mixed, 29 Asians, 28 Africans, 5 whites and 3 Chinese.

Data Analysis

Data were analysed using the Statistics Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. Data were classified and summarised using percentages.

Measures of association between variables were examined using chi square, contingency tables, t tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). A significance level of alpha =.05 was used for all ...