Chapter 3
Methodology
This part of research includes method and procedures by which the
whole qualitative study objectives are attained. It illustrates the research
design used and followed by the role of the researcher in conducting the
study, the research participants including the process and the criteria used in
selecting the informants. The other portion of this chapter presents the data
collection process, and how the data were being analyzed and the methods
employed to establish trustworthiness and credibility. Lastly, ethical
consideration is considered to protect the right of confidentiality and respect of
all participants.
Research Design - jejeboy
Role of the Researcher - aping
Research Participants - carl
In relation to the methodologies, the participants of this study were
drawn from the students who shifted their course from BSA/BSAT to another
program. Grounded from the study of Dornyei (2007) the size of a focused
group assorted between 5-15 students lower than six person would bound the
possible important knowledge otherwise too large would make the study close
to a qualitative research and would be hand for both researchers and
participants to cooperate with the task. Depending on how many groups to
have is a key in designing a focused group study.
The participants are composed of students who shifted from accounting
education to other course 2 years ago;of which commonly refer to as third
year students. Theyll represent the student shifters which is the main focus of
the study. The number of participants will be divided into 2 groups, 7
participants will be selected in the group discussion and the other 7
participants will be singled for individual interviews.
As inferred by Raagas (2010) the proposed number in conducting a
phenomenological approach in qualitative research is between 5 is individuals
which is close to the proposed number of our research coordinator, of which 1
participants will be sampled. He pointed also that in using this model we can
alleviate any idiosyncratic major and minor factors that affect the mechanism
of a group.
Consequently in order to generate a respectable depth of data, it is
recommended to have 2 groups that is composed of individual and group
interviews of student shifters. We believe that based on the model proposed,
it is possible to extract efficient data based on the experience of the individual
and group discussion.
Data Collection - aping
Data Analysis - jejeboy
Trustworthiness and Credibility - carl
As we conducted the subjective research, we put into account the
trustworthiness and credibility of our data.
We are also sensitive and responsible to the stories and experiences that our
participants will heartfully share to us. Credibility is the truth of the findings
Lincoln and Guba (2004). The informations that this study will generate will be
based on the truth and without bias of any external factors that can affect the
decisions of the students. Shenton (2004) stated that the trustworthiness and
credibility of the study is one of the major key points in the criteria of internal
validity. We assure to review the transcriptions and stick with the guidelines in
conducting the interviews, group discussion and other portion of the research
that is considered confidential and respect each decision of the participants.
The concept of credibility and trustworthiness can be defined in a wide
range of complex terms in a qualitative research. Winter (2000) pointed out
that this concept as mentioned is not universal or fixed but rather a construct
or contingent process in the research method process.
Transferability as the product in the inquest of Lincoln and Gulba
(1985) mentioned that this is the degree of the applicability of the study to
other context. This aspect validates the similarity of related situations to
individuals and to use the same concept that will be developed in the study.
Transferability also associates the application results of the study to context
and other form of channels. The enhancement of transferability is empowered
by intensified gathering of related data and information, expressed with the
uniformity of language in the sense of diversifying the use of the study.
Dependability Shanton (2004) implies that it indicates to the casual
view of reliability taken from the postulates of duplicating repeatability. This
study was backboned with the purpose of producing dependable information.
We as researchers are aware of the possible outcomes and mistakes that we
can possibly commit during the process of the study. In line with that we are
tasked to have due responsibility to the participants and to the information and
ideas that we will be gathering and shall present them with transparency.
Conformability infers to the degree of neutrality and absence of bias
in conducting informational gathering to our participants and other information
sources Lincoln and Gulba (1985). Conformability can be observed by having
a step by step process of methods and an intensified way of checking and
rechecking the information gathered and analyzed by our data analyst. By
following restrictions and intolerance, we can mitigate the element of bias in
conducting a qualitative study.
Ethical Consideration is the consideration of moral judgment of what
is wrong and what is right. Our study focuses on the experience of the
students, as weve forecasted that most of the information coming from our
participants would probably be personal and emotional experiences mainly at
home and in the classroom. Ethical consideration is a vital part of the study
Graciano and Raulin (2010). With the presence of the element of sensitivity,
we will consider privacy protocols and risks factors that might affect the
welfare of our participants as well as for us researchers. Delivery of questions
in making interviews and focus group discussions will be checked and
promote a healthy environment in gathering information to avoid
misinterpretation between the researchers and participants.