Adaptation of a Questionnaire

Learning Management Research Methods using Second Life

REGISTER NUMBER: 1923466 PROGRAMME: MBA TUTORIAL GROUP: WEDNESDAY, 0900-1000 HRS. TUTOR: Dr. MIKE WALSH BSMP 30 MANAGEMENT RESEARCH METHODS UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING

1923466 | MBA

Report on Adaptation of a Questionnaire

Foreword
The purpose of this survey is purely academic. This research topic does not intend to belittle the hard work and efforts of my dignified and respected teachers. It is only intended to find alternative learning methods for students which would act as a supplement to the regular classes. Thank you.

Summary
According to A.N. Oppenheim (1992, p 100) questionnaire is an important instrument of research, a tool for data collection. The main purpose of the current questionnaire is to pilot it and determine its efficiency allowing future changes. It is important to pilot the questionnaire as there is no substitute for a properly conducted pilot work (Oppenheim, 1992, p 102) The purpose of this report is to understand the adaptation of a questionnaire for a research topic. The questionnaires should be carefully prepared after careful examination of variables. It is important to have a complete specification of the variables that need to be measured (Oppenheim, 1992 p 101). It is important to understand the need of sampling procedures for selecting the respondents. The current questionnaire although does not provide a complete solution for the research question, it certainly helped in understanding the opinions of the respondents.

Objective
The objective of this report is to, y y y Discuss the design of a questionnaire. What is the questionnaire for, how is it designed, the logic behind the choice of questions, the reason for the methodology used? Findings obtained from the pilot of the questionnaire Effectiveness of the chosen questionnaire.

The current questionnaire is a self-administered questionnaire prepared for piloting. The research question tries to analyse the effectiveness of using Second Life an online virtual world for learning modules like Management Research Methods. The idea is to engage learners by developing innovative methods to learn modules which are sometimes perceived as being dull . The study is limited to post graduate students at University of Stirling. In order to understand the effectiveness of the platform a survey is conducted among the post graduate students to determine their opinion on; usage of alternative learning methods, virtual learning environments, self-study, prerequisites for such learning methods, their previous experience with virtual learning. The current questionnaire however contains only five questions for the purpose of piloting.

UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING | BSMP 30 MANAGEMENT RESEARCH METHODS

1923466 | MBA

Report on Adaptation of a Questionnaire

Questionnaire Description 1. What is your opinion on Virtual learning environments (VLE)? According to Oppenheim (1992, p81) open-ended questions are important in allowing the respondents to say what they think and to do so with greater richness and spontaneity. The first question was designed to probe the respondents knowledge on virtual learning environments. 2. Would you consider a change in learning method for Management Research Method? It is important to know whether the students are open to the idea of alternative learning methods regardless of the delivery platform in use. Therefore this question is directed at the students to determine their openness to alternative learning methods specifically for research methods module. 3. Have you used Second Life before? This question is specifically intended to determine the learners experience with the intended platform. This helps in understanding their previous knowledge, and further help in devising a training strategy for implementing the eventual learning of the module over the platform. 4. Do you think using SL to learn MRM would be an interesting method? The question tries to understand the level of interest of the user in learning the module using the selected platform. The question is directed specifically to the learning of the research method module. 5. Given a choice would you like to learn MRM using SL? The intention of this question is to understand the participation if provided a choice of learning the module using the platform. The question helps us in gauging the possible level of participation. Although an agreement here does not guarantee participation, this would allow us to arrive at an approximation.

UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING | BSMP 30 MANAGEMENT RESEARCH METHODS

1923466 | MBA

Report on Adaptation of a Questionnaire

Methodology
The ultimate goal of the research is to get the learners be more engaged in subjects like management research methods a subject neglected due to its perceived notion of it being dull. The subject is extremely important for research and is an obvious add-on for the future prospect and employment gains. The survey has been initiated as it was found that there is a sudden rise in unpopularity of the module. The survey ultimately aims to abbreviate this fact by setting up more engaging learning methods for students. According to Oppenheim (1992, p 62) the respondents in pilot studies should be as similar as possible to the main enquiry. He also goes on to suggest that in case the main enquiry is meant to highlight any group differences, then such group should also be available for pilots. The question also helps in reducing bias, as there were no choices provided. Choice may seem to be the researcher s preconceived thoughts and would bias the result. Considering the above suggestion, the respondents selected are post graduate students with MRM as one of their course modules and students who didn t study the module for their course. The questionnaire was circulated among a mix of students from various courses of studies; MBA, MSc HRM for students with MRM as a module in their course study and students from MSc Management who do not study MRM as a module was also considered for the pilot. The questionnaire begins with an open ended question which is intended to probe the respondent. The open-endedness is essential in allowing the respondents to say what they think (Oppenheim, 1992 p81). The questions help in understanding whether the student is interested in any other methods of learning the research method module. Any prior experience in using the intended platform can be understood from question three. The questions also provide answers to the actual interest level in trying the platform, and the possible participation level. Source of Questionnaire: Self prepared.

Results
The open-ended question brought in several opinions about virtual learning environments, largely positive with few negative comments. The comments included VLEs being; useful, convenient, a good channel for information sharing, flexibility to learning, and repeating their learning process. The second question about learner s consideration for a change in learning method had 9 strongly agreeing, 10 agreeing and 4 disagreeing with the idea (Figure 1). We understand there is 82% agreement for a change in learning method.

UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING | BSMP 30 MANAGEMENT RESEARCH METHODS

1923466 | MBA

Report on Adaptation of a Questionnaire

Figure 1

Figure 2 shows the response for the third question about the respondent s prior experience with SL- the platform. The platform experience is very low and out of 24 only 5 have used the platform before.

Figure 2

We infer from figure 3 that in spite of little experience with the platform, students consider the usage of the platform to be interesting with over 78% responding positively.

Figure 3

UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING | BSMP 30 MANAGEMENT RESEARCH METHODS

1923466 | MBA

Report on Adaptation of a Questionnaire

The final question received mostly mixed reaction with 50% saying they would like to use SL to learn MRM and about 37.5% saying they may use the tool and the rest saying they wouldn t use it to learn the module.

Figure 4

Overall the result suggest towards the use of SL as an alternative learning method for research methods.

Discussion
The questionnaire is prepared with an intention to understand, y y If the students would like an alternative learning method Any previous experience using SL and would they like learning using SL

The current questionnaire is meant for piloting the questions on the learners/respondents. The questionnaire is insufficient to arrive at a possible conclusion regarding the research topic. The questionnaire contained predominantly closed questions. There is however loss of spontaneity and expressiveness in closed questions (Oppenheim, 1992 p114)

Conclusion
This questionnaire has been suggested to be provided relevant by the respondents. However, there are suggestions pertaining to the question design. The second question should have been yes-no question or the question should have been a statement or suggestion. The open ended question could have had more clarity was one of the suggestions. Overall the questions were found to be apt and reliable. Learning The following are the learning, y y y y Types of questionnaires Research required to prepare a questionnaire Reliability issues with questionnaires Importance of piloting a questionnaire

References
Oppenheim, A.N., (1992) Questionnaire Design, Interviewing and Attitude Measurement. Continuum.
UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING | BSMP 30 MANAGEMENT RESEARCH METHODS

1923466 | MBA BSMP 30 Management Research Methods Assignment

Report on Adaptation of a Questionnaire

Using Second Life to Learn Management Research Methods

Second Life or SL is an online virtual 3D world developed by a company called Linden Labs in 2003. SL allows users to have an alternative identity in the virtual world. SL can be used for task based games, socializing, and also for education. This questionnaire looks at the use of SL for teaching Management Research Methods. I request your valuable inputs in completing this survey. Course: ________________________

1. What is your opinion on Virtual learning environments?

2. Would you consider a change in learning method for Management Research Method?
Please Circle your choice

Strongly Agree 4

Agree 3

Disagree 2

Strongly Disagree 1

3. Have you used Second Life before? Yes No

4.

Do you think using SL to learn MRM would be an interesting method? Strongly Agree 4 Agree 3 Disagree 2 Strongly Disagree 1

5. Given a choice would you like to learn MRM using SL? Yes No May be

Thank you!
UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING | BSMP 30 MANAGEMENT RESEARCH METHODS