[TUTOR NAME]
Design:
The methodology of this study combines both quantitative as well as qualitative research methods. The meaningful and careful combinations of behavioural and social study deepen and enhance the analysis, which in turn reduce the limitations of the study. However, quantitative data collection method would be less efficient because of the restrictive nature of a tightly controlled study (Boston, et al, 2011b). This study does not involve quantitative approach toward researching the topic since quantitative data enables researches to reject or accept a hypothesis; however, it fails to illustrate a phenomenon or respondents’ experience thoroughly. Further in this direction, the study on tutor mentoring practices to support beginner special education instructors is limited. Hence a qualitative case study approach has been chosen based on the above recommendations since it would give precise, up-to-date and detailed information from the respondents’ point of view. Additionally, quantitative design was not selected since the study does not involve any experimentation or hypothesis testing. Results from current literature were not satisfying enough and lacked in valuable data to establish a theory that would be analyzed to arrive at an outcome that is statistically meaningful (World Wide Learn, 2008). The use of qualitative design allowed the data to be compared, triangulated, and tested in order to determine common themes. Considering the purpose of the research study, the qualitative paradigm was the appropriate selection. Qualitative data collection and analysis is inductive and descriptive in nature, and throws light on bringing out meaningful information from the viewpoint of respondents. In other words, the qualitative interview seeks to uncover more fully the cores and the meanings of human experiences by revealing the underlying rationale for the behaviour (Offerman, n.d.). Through this kind of interactive methodology, a strong interactive bond is established between the researcher and the participants (Boston, et al, 2011a).
The qualitative case study approach will be useful for the current study since this type of research method is based on a framework that influences a phenomenon experienced by a single case example, or a group in a setting (Yukselturk & Bulut, 2007). So for this paper, a case study approach will allow for an examination of the online experiences of adult learners, faculty, and administration (Resta & LaFerriere, 2007). This approach will allow the researcher to obtain clarity of the needs of the adult learners, faculty, and administrators so that it may offer valuable information on how better and appropriate student support services can be developed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of online courses delivery and student success.
The researcher will also generate a report based on the interactions with respondents. Lichtman (2010) declared, “The purpose [of qualitative research] is to tell a story using the written or spoken word” (p. 88). These conversations and one-on-one interactions can present vivid, understandable descriptions while providing convincing evidence that supports the theoretical conclusion. Hence, this narrative analysis incorporated first-person accounts in story form using the information participants provided during individual interviews (NIACE, 2007).
A qualitative research design will be used to obtain and examine the overall experiences of adult learners, faculty members and instructors, while operating an online environment. The main focus of qualitative research is to describe, decode, translate, and explain the meaning of naturally occurring phenomena in the social world. Simply put, it seeks to make sense of how people perceive the world and their experiences (Berenson, et al 2008). Experts quote qualitative research as a research process that helps to understand based on discrete methodological mechanisms of researching with an aim to explore a human or social issue.
For this qualitative study, a case study design will aid the researcher in conducting interviews and survey questionnaires with the respondents.
Researchers are able to understand participants' experiences through their viewpoints by delving into a phenomenon, through a qualitative case study (Renn & Reason, 2012). Unlike a theoretical model, or a phenomenological tradition, which is beneficial in studies to depict the experiences of a group, or a grounded theory tradition, which produces a theory, a case study research method is based on documenting the process, and change of a group over time (Bogdan & Biklen, 2009).
Sample:
The participants of this research will be:
- Adult learners who have applied in EDCP 100-Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning and have enrolled in a minimum of 2 online courses with local university.
- Administrators working in a student service facility.
The study involves 10 adult learners or students, 5 faculty members, and 5 administrators. The most suitable person to fill the questionnaire is the most accountable person responsible for the undertaking the online course since they have sufficient understanding about why they want to undertake an online course (College Glendale Community, 2008). Furthermore, students will be asked to complete a survey questionnaire containing questions like:
- What are the main features they would highlight as most beneficial when using an online course?
- What are the limitations of communications faced during online learning course?
- What are the challenges for accepting changes to the online learning environment?
- Is the student table to meet with the instructor once a month?.. and so on.
Further in this direction, the admin members will be posed with questions like:
- How can the current course design enhanced to increase the success rate of course completion?
- How will they train themselves in increasing awareness of good pedagogy?
- How can the student as well as the tutor be placed as central within an online learning environment?
- What is the role of multiple technologies in improving success rate?
- How will they promote collaborative learning?.. and so on.
The study also involves semi-structured interviews to support these questionnaires. It will help elicit extra information concerning student success in online course. Interview questions will be developed around the central themes of the survey questionnaires. Optionally, the interview questions will be analyzed by two tutors in the field of technology at the university.
A few interview questions will be:
- Characteristics of the online students
- What are the characteristics of the unsuccessful and successful students?
- What are the main features that benefit students and are liked by them while taking the online course?
- What are the main difficulties facing students in the online course?
- How can an efficient and student-friendly (read user-friendly ) online course be developed?
For participants, a small size is selected since it enables each participant individual thinking time and then each one is asked for a contribution. Due to the moderate size of participants in this study, the research will be able to obtain enough feedback and answers to learning about how the success rate adult online learners can be enhanced and the effects by which the courses may be unsuccessful (Radocic-Markovic, 2010).
Mostly, graduate adults learners are selected for the study even though they may be less experienced with online learning and technologies; however they are more self-motivated than their counterparts. Graduate adult learners are likely to be less procrastinating than undergraduates (Folinsbee, 2008) (Berenson, et al., 2008).
Rights of participants:
The initial stage of conducting these interviews will be face-to-face meeting wherein students will be informed that their participation in the study was totally voluntary and that it is their personal choice whether or not to participate in the study. Further, they will be notified of the right not to answer all questions and they can skip any question at their own will. Moreover, the study does not involve respondents who are particularly vulnerable or unable to give informed consent. The study will not involve discussion on sensitive topics. The study will not even involve repetitive or prolonged testing. The study undertakes careful measures to ensure confidentiality, privacy and data protection where appropriate. Lastly, no financial inducements will be offered to respondents, apart from the reasonable expenses and compensation for time.
References:
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learning. Retrieved from http://www.niace.org.uk/sites/default/files/81-Online-Course-Delivery.pdf.
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