Salford University Context Justification of Research Methodology

1.21. Justification of Research Methodology

The research questions for this research can be divided into two groups based on the context of organisations where the researches will be conducted. The first research is in Salford University context and the second research is in Sanata Dharma University context. In the following section justification of research methodology for different organisations context will be described separately. The researcher will use research approach characteristics proposed by Braa and Vidgen 1999 depicted in Table 3.2 to help to justify a research methodology for conducting the research. These research approach characteristics are divided into two categories, i.e. research outcomes consist of change, prediction and understanding; and research characteristics consist of duration, time, and participation.

1.21.1. Salford University Context

There are two research questions for research in Salford University context i.e. how does Web-based teaching and learning technology help or support to deliver teaching in Salford University? and what are the enabling and inhibiting characteristics associated with the implementation of Web-based teaching and learning technology in Salford University? These two research questions will be explored within one research process as both of them have a tight relationship. This research conducted at Salford University, in United Kingdom, where the researcher is studying for masters degree in Information System. In this university, the researchers will join with a module, which uses Web-based teaching and learning technology to support teaching and learning process. Based on the experience, the research will be conducted to find the answer of the two research questions. In the learning process supported by Web-based teaching and learning technology, the researcher together with the other students intend to use the technology effectively to support the module. These will be done by conducting face- to-face meeting between students to discuss the progress and the usage of the technology supported by the lecturer. The results of the discussions will then be used to improve the usage of the technology. As the researcher is very interested with Web-based teaching and learning technology, the research is conducted to find understanding of the usage of the technology to support teaching and learning process. The information to gain understanding is obtained from conducting interpretation of the participants students and a lecturer experiences. Based on research approach characteristics proposed by Braa and Vidgen 1999 depicted in Table 3.2, the research approach appropriate to conduct this research will be justified as shown in Table 3.3. Considering the characteristic of the research depicted in Table 3.3, action case approach is more appropriate to conduct the research than case study or action research. In the action case approach, the intention of the researcher to make intervention and understanding is facilitated. This is conducted by considering that in action case, the scope of the investigation is restricted in order that a small to medium-scale intervention can be achieved in a rich local context Braa et al., 1999. Table. 3.3. Research Approaches Characteristics for Salford University Context Research outcome and characteristic Action case characteristic Research characteristic at Salford University Context Change intervention Intended Small to medium scale The researcher intends to gain the effective usage of Web-based teaching and learning technology together with the fellow students guided by the lecturer through face-to-face meeting. The scope is considering small, as it is limited on one module. Prediction reduction Low - Understanding interpretation Medium Understanding is considering medium as it is interpreted from experiences of fellow students and a lecturer in one module guided by conceptual frameworks. Duration Short to medium The researcher participates in the usage of the technology for 3 months and the interpretation took additional 3 months. Time orientation Contemporary and building future The research will affect in the effectiveness of the technology to support teaching and learning process at the time of research and in the next implementation. Participation Medium The participation is considered medium as the researcher as student together with the fellow students guided by the lecturer trying to find the usage of the technology effectively.

1.21.2. Sanata Dharma University Context