THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG

known to represent the different geographical areas of the district. However, these same
clusters also take into consideration different other aspects such as semi-urban/rural
stratifications, economic and social differentiations, as well as livelihood zonations. From
these, 11 clusters were identified for the survey. These clusters eventually provided the
principle sampling points, the locations, also know as a village. In total 220 households were
sampled. The sample size for the house holds to be covered in the local mapping survey was
statistically determined based on a precision of 5% and a confidence level of 95%. 105 On top
of data collected from the individual household respondents, 11 focus group discussions were
held to augment the quantitative data.
A local institutional mapping questionnaire (see appendix A) was used to administer the
household interviews. This was augmented by eleven focus group discussions which were
held in each of the clusters. The focus group discussions brought together opinion leaders
known to have lived in these places for a relatively longer period of time. These were in most
cases clan leaders, village elders, and tribal chiefs among others. To avoid misinterpretation
of the required data, four assistant local researchers were recruited and trained in detail
regarding the meaning and intentions of the research. To enhance consistency and reduce
misunderstandings, the interviews were conducted in the local language. To minimise the bias
that can be caused by working with different assistants, the questionnaire was maintained in
English but conducted in Swahili, the national language ably understood by all nationals. This
version was further discussed and internalised by the assistant researchers. This made it
possible to stimulate answers to the questions and generate more details for the study. It also
helped to ensure that questions were asked and answered as perceived and intended.
As part of the research protocol and procedure, the questionnaire was tested by conducting 22
pre-test interviews in the different, but carefully selected, areas of Kakamega. This provided
an opportunity for rephrasing the unclear questions and rearrangement of questions so as to
achieve consistency and a chronological flow of the interviews. It is believed that the validity
of the research was enhanced at this level. The first 22 filled pre-tested questionnaires were
examined to identify discrepancies from the expected results and to ensure further
understanding and reliability of data to be collected. On the whole the questionnaire had five
sections. These included a section on household demographics, biodiversity perceptions,
usage or management of biodiversity species, community usage of forest environment,
management of local knowledge and land for biodiversity as well as knowledge of formal
rules governing biodiversity.
105 Bartllett, J. E, J. W, Kotrlik and C. Higgins. 2001. Organizational Research: Determining Appropriate Sample Size in
Survey Research. Information Technology Leraning Journal 19(1): 43-50.
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