Research Methodology Assignment: Data Analysis Techniques For The Improvement Of Online Learning

Question

Task: In this section you clearly outline what methodology you used in your research i.e. what you intend to do and how you intend to do it. It must be clearly written so that it would be easy for another researcher to duplicate your research if they wished. Most researchers will use one or more of a number of well documented and acceptable methods understood by the research community. We will discuss a number or research methodologies in different sessions, but there will be many others you can choose from

The structure of a methodology chapter will be discussed in class and examples given. The Methodology would normally constitute Chapter 3 in a research report, see suggested guidelines in (report.doc, chapter 3). This will not be submitted online, but checked in class only during the individual discussions with each of the students. This will be the first page of Methodology component including any references cited in the first page.

The submission for the Methodology has been divided into a number of submissions so the Unit lecturer can gauge the students progression in this topic.

Answer

Chapter 3: Research Methodology
3.0 Introduction
Research methodology is known to be a particular technique or rather procedure that is generally utilised for the process of identification; analysis and selection of information based on a specific study. This section is referred to as a systematic way for solving a problem and is also a science based on studying the way research can be carried out. Hence, the present chapter provides an overview of the techniques and methods that need to be considered for conducting the research followed by proper justification.

3.1 Research philosophy
Research philosophy for a study ensures to be aware along with the formulation of the assumptions and beliefs of the researcher [1]. Reflection of the assumptions can serve to be a base for the strategy of the research. However, there are several branches related to research philosophy such as positivism; interpretivism and realism. Positivism research generally adheres to gain factual knowledge through an observation. On the other hand, interpretivism philosophy tends to integrate the interest of the human while interpreting other elements. Nevertheless, realism philosophy mainly depends within the idea based on independence through the human mind.

3.2 Justification of the chosen philosophy
Positivism research philosophy is considered to be appropriate for the respective study as it is known to be a vigorous process based on the setting of hypothesis along with analysing the results through empirical experimentation for testing the same. However, making use of this reasoning can make the analysis to be unrealistic but, it depends within a valid knowledge.

3.3 Research approach
Research approach is considered as a process which comprises different stages based on broader assumptions reviewing the detailed methods for analysis; data collection as well as interpretation [2]. This is also related to the research problem that is generally addressed and this can be categorized into three divisions such as inductive; deductive and abductive reasoning. Deductive approach is mainly concerned with the development of a hypothesis; on the other hand, inductive reasoning focuses on theories and observations and abductive approach is mainly referred to address the shortcomings related to both the previous approaches.

3.4 Justification for the chosen approach
Deductive reasoning results in being much more effective for the particular research as it tends to begin through an expected pattern which is tested over the observations. This creates a possibility for explaining the causal relationships within the variables and the concepts along with allowing measuring the concepts in a quantitative way [3]. However, making use of the respective approach can result in other people who can make the researcher frustrated as they might not believe the deductive arguments.

3.5 Research design
Research design is mainly referred to as the all over strategy which can be chosen for the integration of various components based on the respective study within a logical and coherent manner. This helps in addressing the research problem effectively. However the major divisions of the design are explanatory; exploratory and descriptive research design. Explanatory design is mainly conducted for a problem which has not been researched well; however, exploratory design can also lead to unstructured and informal data as this consists of no past data; nevertheless, descriptive design mainly characterizes the phenomenon which is studied.

3.6 Justification for the chosen design
Explanatory research design has led to be much more suitable for the respective research as this can help in formulating proper data without any past information [4]. This can also serve to be a tool regarding the initial research which might provide a theoretical idea. However, there are certain shortcomings for this design such as it provides qualitative data; interpretation of such type of information might result in being biased.

3.7 Data collection
This is referred to as a procedure to collect information through some of the relevant sources for analysing the research problem; evaluating hypothesis and testing as well. This is majorly divided into two categories such as primary and secondary data collection method. Primary data is considered to be the first hand sources while making use of experiments; surveys and many more. On the other hand, secondary data is mainly concerned with analysing the information that has already gathered and is readily available focusing on organisational records; information of government departments and similar others [5].

3.8 Justification for the chosen method
Primary method of data collection is considered in the present research as it can be gathered directly from the original sources with the use of survey methods and interviews. This can provide appropriate results with the use of graphical representation and statistical methods. This highlights both quantitative and qualitative research methods outlining survey techniques with questionnaires and interviews with the participants.

3.9 Population and sampling
Population sampling is the process to consider any of the subset based on the subjects which are representatives for the overall population. The respective sample might comprise of sufficient size for warranting the statistical analysis. The two categories of sampling have been probability and non-probability sampling [6]. Probability sampling provides an equal chance for all the participants to respond whereas; non-probability sampling is considered to provide random selection. Hence, for the present research, 53 has been considered as the total sample size where 50 online learners are surveyed through questionnaires along with 3 experts of online learning and course designing who are interviewed.

3.10 Ethical considerations
Ethical consideration is generally considered to be the most significant part for the participants of the research who are not supposed to be subjected for any kind of harm along with ensuring to maintain the dignity and respect for the respondents of the research. For the present case, the researcher considers the use of taking approval of the participants before conducting the research along with informing them about the process and significance of the study [7]. However, it is also ensured to maintain confidentiality of the data for the information collected from the participants.

3.11 Summary
To summarize, the present section has evaluated different techniques and methods that are used for conducting the research accurately. It has highlighted the research philosophy; approach and design along with the process of data collection followed by the proper justification. Hence, sampling techniques along with the factors responsible for ethical consideration have also been identified.

References
[1] Briggs, A. and Coleman, M., 2019. Research Methodology in Educational Leadership and Management.In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education.
[2]“EDITORIAL NOTE: REFEREES,” International Journal of Social Research Methodology, vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 669–670, Sep. 2019.
[3]S. Gorard, “Handling missing data in numeric analyses,” International Journal of Social Research Methodology, pp. 1–10, Feb. 2020.
[4]S. B. Andrade and D. Andersen, “Digital story grammar: a quantitative methodology for narrative analysis,” International Journal of Social Research Methodology, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 405–421, Feb. 2020.
[5]K. Weigl and I. Ponocny, “Group sequential designs applied in psychological research,” Methodology, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 75–91, Apr. 2020.
[6]N. Greening, “Phenomenological Research Methodology,” Scientific Research Journal, vol. VII, no. V, May 2019.
[7]C. Ryder, T. Mackean, J. Coombs, H. Williams, K. Hunter, A. J. A. Holland, and R. Q. Ivers, “Indigenous research methodology – weaving a research interface,” International Journal of Social Research Methodology, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 255–267, Sep. 2019.
[8]P. Siebert, P.-O. Siebers, E. P. Vallejos, and T. Nilsson, “Driving complementarity in interdisciplinary research: a reflection,” International Journal of Social Research Methodology, pp. 1–8, Mar. 2020.