The Effect Of Truancy On The Academic Performance Of Senior Secondary School Students
[A CASE STUDY OF OGBOMOSO SOUTH, OYO STATE]

CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHOD
The research method is represented under the following sub-headings:
-    Research design
-    Population of the study
-    Sample and sampling techniques
-    Research instruments
-    Validity and reliability of the instruments
-    Procedure for data collection
-    Method of data analysis
3.1    Research Design
This chapter highlights those methods used in getting information from respondents as well as steps taken in conducting the study and its inherent features. This is used for the purpose of obtaining data to enable the researcher test hypothesis or answer research questions.  

3.2    Population of the Study
This research is designed to cover Ogbomoso South Educational zone of Oyo State. This study centres on truancy among secondary school students, it is mainly limited to public secondary school students in Ogbomoso South Educational Zone of Oyo State.
3.3    Sample and Sampling Technique
For the purpose of this research random sampling technique was be adopted, three schools were used as samples for this study. Since the research is concerned with senior secondary school students in Ogbomoso South Local Government of Oyo State, only the students at this level were used as samples. The schools were
2.    Baptist high school Ogbomoso
3.    Ogbomoso High school
4.    The apostolic church Grammar school Ogbomoso
The reason for selecting senior secondary school is that the researcher observed that those at this level play truant a lot. Students at the Junior secondary level still have some fear in them. They would not want to miss school, for fear of punishment. Once students graduate from this junior level to the senior level, they feel they should gain their freedom and come to school, whenever they like. This is one of the reasons that prompted the researcher to use senior secondary students as samples.   
3.4    Research Instruments
The interview conducted with students is meant to identify the causes of truancy among students. The reason for using interview technique is because students may not want to identify themselves as truants and they may fake answers if they are asked to fill questionnaire. The interview with class teachers and subject teachers is meant to seek teachers’ opinion on the causes of truancy and how it could be eradicated. With the help of the teachers, the researcher was able to gather some information what causes truancy among students and how it can affect their academic performances.
Each question asked during the interview was a follow up to the one that was previously asked. All the responses were written down in the space provided at the bottom of each question.
In the interview conducted with students, matters related to the students’ personality, home background relationship with peers and teachers study habits, interest of parents in students academic work, academic performances in schools; attitude to regular attendance at school environment were asked. However, students were informed that their responses would be made confidential. In the interview conducted with teachers, mattes related to students personality traits, class attendance, academic performances, interest in school work and assignments were asked.