This was the the first day of me being a student again.I had mixed feelings on how the course was going to be. At this first class of Research Methodology ( EDU702), the lecturer explained on what he expected us to complete for our assignments. This class was scheduled on Tuesdays (6.00 p.m - 9.00 p.m) including independent study. It was explained that during the 1 hour independent study, we were required to search for materials for our course. The lecturer tried to propose that we changed the schedule to begin early (5.00 p.m.) .However, there were some of the students who could not make it,hence, we had to stick to the original schedule.
18th of January 2011
The topic for today was quantitative method in research. It involved mathematical models in research to seek relationship of variables. Quantitative data can verify the data gathered through observation using numerical values. This method use statistics to explain the information we got through qualitative study. This method would usually involved 2 groups (i.e.to test a hypothesis), a control group and an experimental group. The control group would be the 'yardstick' to measure the effect on the introduction of variable into the experimental group. In the end of the experiment, the researcher would compare and contrast between the two groups and validate the findings through statistical analysis.
25th of January 2011
It was group presentation today. The first two groups had presented their topics. So this was how group presentation should be done. The lecturer commented on the first two groups on ways to improve for their other presentations. He said that presentation should not be too long to avoid the audience being inattentive.The presenters must stick to main arguments and focus on what were important only. After the group presentations were finished, we continued the class with quantitative study method .
8th of February 2011
The class started off with group presentations continuation. Next, we discussed about qualitative method presented by our lecturer. This method implied that a research can be done by observation of the case being studied. This method is interested in exploring why and how a phenomenon occurred besides explaining what, where and when. It entails that this method is inquiry based, it will come out with hypothesis at the end of the research.
22nd of February and 1st of March 2011.
Our topic for today was Sampling. When a researcher decided to do a research on a topic. He or she must then decide who would be selected as sample of study. Sample refers to the group on which the information pertaining the research can be gathered. It would be a hope of the researcher to get the target population (i.e.actual population) as sample in the study,however, it is not possible because of many limitations. Thus, a researcher would then select accessible population within the actual population that best represent the population in general.For instance, if a researcher wants to study the impact of the introduction of KSSR, the target population would be all Year 1 pupils in Malaysia.However, to make it feasible, the researcher would focus in one school that best represents the population (e.g.different ethnics, economic status etc.)
8th of March 2011
After we had discussed the types of research methodology, we now come to the ways of how data are gathered. This is where instrumentation comes in. Instrumentation means the tools used to collect data for a research. Several conditions need to be analyzed before we choose how are we going to collect the data : Where will the data be collected? (e.g.classroom, market etc.), When will the data be collected? (e.g.morning,afternoon,evening ,weekend etc.), How often are the data to be collected? (e.g.once,twice etc.) and Who is to collect the data? (e.g.the researcher, representative of researcher etc.). The three most important factors in choosing which instrument to use : Validity ( i.e. Is it really measuring what it is supposed to measure?) and Reliability ( i.e. The instrument would give consistent results ) and Objectivity (i.e. not influenced by subjective judgment- bear in mind that complete objectivity is not possible, the researcher must try to avoid it as much as possible)
15th of March 2011
I felt a little frustrated today as my draft for research proposal was not accepted. The lecturer advised me to change mt topic because my chosen topic on Communicative Classroom was outdated. However, I will accept this as a challenge to better improve my research skill. Well, its better to know it now rather than later part of my study.
22nd of March 2011
Today we discussed about data analysis. Data analysis means how a researcher interpret the data gathered. Nowadays, we would use the SPSS ( Statiscal Package for Social Sciences) software. This software can be used to test the reliability of questionnaire items by using Cronbach's Alpha and T-test. The data can also be analyzed to find relationship between two or more variables by using Pearson Correlation. Wow!, I never thought that social science would mean I needed to go back to Math...I had a little phobia with numbers, since this is one subject that I failed to score during my schooling years. Well, at least its good to know that there is SPSS that is going to do all the calculation.Hahaha
29th of March 2011
Today was our proposal presentation. We were asked to create only 7 slides for each presentation. After a deep thought and discussion with my colleagues in school, I came out with the topic of ; Teaching Reading through Songs,Chants and Rhymes : A Case Study of Year 4 Pupils in SK Bukit Naga. I was very nervous seeing that most of my classmates had been questioned to explain and improvise their proposal. At last, my turn had come, I tried to make it as quickly as possible. After finishing my presentation, I waited for a respond from the lecturer. Fortunately, he just asked me to alter one of my samples for my research. The rest was fine. What a big relief....
5th of April 2011
The last time I sat for an exam was last October, for my PTK . Today, it was not about getting a promotion but how to pass a subject. Though it sounds less intense, for me, the anxiety was high. It was due to the fact, that now I realized that age do have an effect on our memory. I tried to remember all the facts and figures for this quiz but when I looked at the first question, I was like asking myself " What did you study last night?", " Are you sure you read the right book?" etc. In the end, after struggling to remember the points, I managed to finish the test ( I am the last person to handover my paper of course..hehehe). The result? Wallahua'lam, just hope for the best.. Insyaallah...
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