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PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED: THE TWIST AND TURNS ON THE ROAD OF DATA COLLECTION
Shwu-Wen Lin CLIO 3 March 2009
Overview
Research context Problems encountered and compromises
made: - Difficulty in securing access
- The unwillingness for classroom observation
- The restriction of timetable
- The unavoidable loss of participants The proposed & the achieved Suggestions for fieldwork
Research context (I)
Research project: - Washback/Impact study graduate requirement of English proficiency
General English Proficiency Test (GEPT)
- Case study: University A (no graduation requirement)
University B (with graduation requirement)
- teachers & students (non-English majors)
Research context (II)
Research Methodology:
- Questionnaire - Interview: teachers & students - Classroom Observation:
Problem (I): Access
University A: Access secured University B: - Approval from teachers - Proposal - Formal letter - Human subject protection (GSoE ethics procedure instead)
Proposed Design (I)
Classroom Observation: (based on the idealistic assumption of washback)_
(Watanabe, 2004,p.28)
Teacher A Teacher B
Exam –related lessons
[same]
[different] [different]
Non-exam lessons
Proposed Design:
Research
Methods
Participant
s
Number of Participants
Case A Case B
Classroom Observation
Teachers 6 6
Test-related classes
0 2
General English classes
12 10
Problem (II): Unwillingness for classroom observation
University A: - number of teachers : 5 3 4
- number of classes observed: 7
- observation duration: 3 weeks, 2 weeks
- all general English classes
Problem (III):Restriction of timetable & Unavoidable loss of participant
University B: - number of teachers: 6 3
- number of classes observed: 3
- observation duration: 3 weeks, 2 weeks, 1 week
- 1 test-related class, the rest general English classes
Achieved:
Research
Methods
Participant
s
Number of Participants
Case A Case B
Classroom Observation
Teachers 4 3
Test-related class
0 1
General English classes
7 2
Suggestions:
For access: - Impression management
- Obtaining ‘bottom-up’ access
- Being non-judgmental
- Offering feedback
- Establishing a contract (Silverman, 2005, p.255-256)
- Making ethical guidelines explicit
For others: - ‘It is important to be realistic rather than optimistic in your
plans, because resources have a tendency to go less far than you anticipate.’ (Mason, 2002, p.44)
Prepare yourself for the unexpected!