2.1 Sections of the Methodology
The research method is divided into five sections namely research participants, sampling procedure, sample size,
measurement and covariance, and research design.
2.2 Research Participants
The population used for this study comprise of 543 operators of SMEs selected from five urban locations in
Akwa Ibom State. The locations and number of respondents used were Uyo/Itu (151), Eket/Ibeno (132), Oron
(97). Idu Uruan (23), Etinan (31), Ikot Ekpene (109). These figures were however, obtained from the Registry of
Bureau of Cooperative Society, Akwa Ibom State.
2.3 Sampling Procedure
The sampling procedure employed in this study is simple randomization. By the process, every element in the
sampling frame was given a chance of being selected to participate in the research process. For equality of
chance and reduction of bias, a questionnaire was given to every second person on the payroll of selected SMEs
in the various locations.