Paper Example on Mixed Method Research Design

Introduction

Electronic learning (E-learning) has been considered an innovative revolution in the provision of education. The E-learning platform has the capabilities to provide educational services to people are not physically present at the academic institution and thus is referred to as distance learning (Jokiaho et al., 2018). In this regard, delivery of education across the world has been made possible through the internet as the primary electronic means. Iraq is among the developing countries which have embraced E-learning in line with the growing technological advancement across the world. The nations top institutions currently on an aggressive upgrade of their e-learning capabilities albeit with a variety of challenges. In comparison with the facilities in the developed world, the e-learning capabilities in Iraq can be considered fledgling and thus there is a need for the academic institutions to apply a conscious effort in developing the invaluable resource. Studies, therefore, need to be undertaken to investigate the current level of the e-learning platform and determine the possible challenges that would limit the adoption and efficiency of e-learning services.

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Objectives of the Study

The study on e-learning in Iraqi universities seeks to identify the current level of capabilities in the institutions of higher learning. The current practices in E-learning will be evaluated to determine the strengths and the gaps available then recommend improvement. The study thus will primarily focus on challenges and afterward provide recommendations on workable solutions for the problems faced. To effectively carry out t study, a mixed method approach will be used in the study. The mixed method approach is necessary to have a clear understanding of the e-learning situation in Iraqi universities by integrating research methods rather than rely on one.

The Mixed Method Design

The mixed method research design is adopted to ensure that the findings of the research lead to useful, correct conclusions and consequently workable recommendations necessary for enhancing the e-learning platform in Iraqi institutions of higher learning. The method employs several methods of data collection which are then analyzed separately and independently to provide a clearer picture of the findings (Morse, 2015). The analysis of the data is a triangulation of the various results and data collected so that one method complements another for the accurate derivation of conclusions. The following techniques will be incorporated into the design.

Interviews

Interviews will be carried out to determine the nature of the e-learning program in the universities. The research, therefore, will have to employ the equipment necessary for interviews such as tape recorders, notebooks, and video recorders (Cresswell et al., 2015). It is of the essence to note that the discussions would yield information on the attitudes of the students, professors and other stakeholders in education on their attitudes towards the e-learning programs in the universities. Face to face interviews would be carried out on the professors at places of their convenience. Face to face interviews is ideal for they help the researchers learn more about personal feelings which may be expressed in the course of the discussion. Furthermore, preference of interview subjects would be given to professors in the Information Technology departments in the universities. Samples of leading universities will be identified such that at least a professor from each top university is interviewed. To improve the pool of interviewees, a significant number of people will have to be talked over the phone. Phone call interviews will have to be structured to fit within a five-minute timeline since a more prolonged period would result in boredom and loss of interest due to lack of the appeal of physical presence. The phone call interviews will be restricted to junior staff and other relevant people of interest. As always, the interview will have to either tape or video recorded.

Secondary Research

Secondary research will be applied as it is significant in providing foundation and direction for the study. Secondary analysis will mainly deal with scholarly peer-reviewed articles which will provide information on elements that may not have been thought about in the planning of the research (Salmon, 2016). It is undeniable that previous research that is sound and informative provides a valuable precedent in the form of the path to follow in designing new research. Key elements of the secondary research that would be of ale include the sample size, the methods used and specific area of focus of the research so that the current study is not merely a duplication of previous studies. More so, the challenges faced by the earlier research will significantly influence the way the research would be carried out with specific improvements and adjustments as need be. Studies on challenges of e-learning in Iraq, government commitment and investment in technology and attitude of learners, professors and the general education fraternity to the integration of technology in the classroom set up would be given priority by the study.

Usability Testing

It is of advantage to have impressive and up to date technology but if it cannot be manipulated by the subjects to their benefit then it is useless and adds no value. Technology in education, especially the concept of e-learning, has often been lauded as a crucial milestone in improving education standards. The challenge is that even with impressive technology, the skills to use them may hinder benefit from the technology. For the study, usability testing will be carried out to determine how well the students and professors use the e-learning facilities. In this regard, observation would be necessary to determine how well the system is used (Morse, 2015). It would be required to have permission to participate in the e-learning process so that observations are made on how well they are used. It would be necessary to enlist the services of an expert to examine the software in use to create a comprehensive analysis of usability I term of the complexity of software and equipment and also the level of skills of the users using the system. The method will provide crucial evidence of challenges in the application of the e-learning platform and recommendations on where to improve.

Quantitative Survey

Since other methods will inevitably come up with their quantitative data; this particular aspect will concentrate on the quantity of investment in e-learning (Claasen et al. 2015). It will be necessary to develop a significant sample of institutions so that the average level of investment is determined. The study will consider the number of equipment such computers, the facility specially built or set aside for purposes of distance learning, the number of students enrolled in the program and the number of personnel assigned explicitly to the e-learning department of the university. The sample universities will all have their data taken by actual observation and counting. The interviews will provide such information. The focus on the quantitative approach is to determine the scale of investment and infrastructure dedicated to e-learning. The funds directed to e-learning both by the institution and the government will have to be extracted. The level of investment inevitably provides clues to government or institutional commitment and attitude towards the e-learning process.

Online Surveys

Online surveys will be solely used in investigating the efficiency of the existing. Online questionnaires will be developed and provide on the online portals of the students. The research will have to work in close contact with the institutions to ensure the relevant student take part in the survey. The questionnaires will be structured with varied dimensions of the e-learning process (Claasen et al., 2015). It is essential to work with a large sample since most people generally decline to participate in online surveys. The online survey is vital as it complements the live and telephone interviews.

Triangulation

Triangulation, in essence, involves the compilation of all the methods included in the data collection. The triangulation process is more of an analysis informed by the various techniques (Salmon, 2016). The information will be collated in the form of the tape recording s from interviews, questionnaire responses from the online surveys, video recording and data derived from the secondary resources. The researcher will analyze the data, and another will quickly replace the inadequacy of one. In the case of inadequate data collected, there will a feedback loop where the researchers will revisit participants with the aim of obtaining more information to fill the information gap. Some methods which still prove insufficient will have to be redone to come up with viable data. To get the best findings, it is prudent that the research enlists more researchers and explores both broad and specific variables.

Merits of Mixed Method Research

A mixed method approach helps the research deal with a bias that is inevitable when using a single plan. Bias is the major problem that affects research, and therefore competent research should appreciate the weight of bias information of conclusions (Buckley, 2015). The mixed method serves to minimize bias for it is unlikely that bias can be eliminated. The researcher, therefore, has to recognize bias that may arise in the form of sampling methods or the underlying research procedures. The mixed method helps to deal with such bias. Also, the method provides for both qualitative and quantitative approaches which will be sufficient to deal with any bias that may arise reasonably.

The methods various methods of data collection complement each other. It is without a doubt that the use of a single method will inevitably lead to fewer data collected and the incidence of bias is expected to be very high. When several methods are used, weakness in one method is compensated for by another technique (Venkataramanan et al., 2018). This plan ensures that the analysis comes up with the correct findings which in turn inform conclusions. However, the researcher has to take care to avoid personal bias towards some methods against others. They may spend more time and resources with one method at the expense of others. In summary, the method of concurrent triangulation provides the researcher with a pool of information to work with. The various ways will positively challenge the researcher as they work through for solutions.

Challenges of Using a Mixed Method Approach

The mixed method approach is costly to use as the many methods involved require considerable financing. The financing is especially steep if the research has to use one method at a time before applying another. The effort put into planning and logistics is tiresome due to the complexity of each method (Zachariadis, Scott & Barrett, 2013). Additionally, the researcher may plan for all methods but due to personal preferences may end up unconsciously ignoring or rushing through them. Such attitude son, the part of the researcher, may jeopardize the research altogether.

Another challenge is picking the relevant methods to be used by the researcher. It is likely that some of the methods selected are of no value to the research and thus pursuing them only works to the detriment of the research (Sweeney & Goldblatt 2016). It is therefore essential to consider that research into the use of e-learning in Iraqi universities picks the best methods that would best suit the purposes of the study and its scope. It is only after an evaluation has been that due consideration is put on picking methods that would be effective.

Conclusion

The mixed method of research is an effectiv...