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4.3 TARGET POPULATION
A population refers to the entire aggregation ofcases that meets a designated set ofcriteria, in
other words, that meets the criteria the researcher is interested in studying (Brink, 1996:132).
The population ofthis study included amputees between ages 15 and 56 years who had been
discharged from hospitals to their suburban and rural communities. 'This population was
selected because the varieties were closely related to the causal factor of amputation, and
convinced in that they were selected from their natural communities.
4.4 SAMPLE SIZE A]'I,TJ) SAMPLING TECHl'I'lQUE
4.4.1 SAMPLE SIZE
A sample refers to the some ofthe individuals within a specific territory or small portions of
a population or a smaller representation of a larger whole, intended to reflect and represent
the character, style or content ofthe population from which it is drawn (Brink, 1996:133). In
this study every amputee from the selected residential area were purposely selected for the
study until the required number oftwenty five (25) amputees was reached
4.4.2 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
A sampling technique or method refers to the process ofselecting a sample from a population
in order to obtain information regarding a phenomenon in a VI'ay that represents the
population interest (Neuman, 1996:130). Using convenient and purposive techniques persons
that has had any limb or both limbs amputated irrespective ofthe cause ofamputation were
selected, provided they were aged between 15 and 56 years; discharged from the hospital,
were from the identified communities and were attending follow-up clinics in the identified
hospitals or in their communities. When twenty-five (25) questionnaires had been completed,
these were recorded and analyzed
4.5 RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
A research instrument is a specific tool, often a questionnaire orinterview guide, used to
measure the variable in a study (Spradley & Allender, 1996:604). A questionnaire was used
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