2.

Reviews on Research Methodology

Research Methodology is defined as an organized, documented set of procedures and guidelines for one or more phases of the software life cycle, such as analysis or design. Many methodologies include a diagramming notation for documenting the results of the procedure.
(The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, Denis Howe 2010)

The Research Methodologies that I will review on are Interview, Observation and Questionnaire.

2.1.1 Interview
Interview is a method of research, where it involves a face-to-face meeting which the researcher of an interviewer asks an individual a series of questions. An interview is one of qualitative research where the interviews always completed by the interviewer based on what the respondent says. In the personal interview, the interviewer works directly with the respondent where they have the opportunity to ask follow up questions. Interviews are easier for respondent, especially when the question required their opinion. Before the interview session started, a set of questions need to be prepared and share with the respondent during the interview. The interviewer need to copy exactly what the respondent said although it can be very slow and time consuming process. Tape record or videotape records are needed for the interview, where it might be help for later reference. Comparison between the notes that been copied and the reply of the interview need to be done so that corrections can be made if necessary. There are several types of interviews: y Informal, conversational interview No predetermined questions are asked, in order to remain as open and adaptable as possible to the interviewee s nature and priorities; during the interview the interviewer goes with the flow . General interview guide approach The guide approach is intended to ensure that the same general areas of information are collected from each interviewee; this provides more focus than the conversational approach, but still allows a degree of freedom and adaptability in getting the information from the interviewee. Standardized, open-ended interview The same open-ended questions are asked to all interviewees; this approach facilitates faster interviews that can be more easily analyzed and compared. Closed, fixed-response interview All interviewees are asked the same questions and asked to choose answers from among the same set of alternatives. This format is useful for those not practiced in interviewing.

Advantages
y They are useful to obtain detailed information y about personal feelings, perceptions and opinions. They allow more detailed questions to be asked. y they usually achieve a high response rate y Respondents' own words are recorded. y Ambiguities can be clarified and incomplete answers followed up. Interviewees are not influenced by others in the group. Table 2.1: advantages and disadvantages of Interview

Disadvantages
They can be very time-consuming: setting up, interviewing, transcribing, analyzing, feedback, reporting. They can be costly. Different interviewers may understand and transcribe interviews in different ways. Not suitable in collecting large scale data because data collected are only from the people that had been interviewed.

y y y y y

2.1.2 Observation
Observation is defined as a method for collecting data where the actions and behaviors are recorded, as the main interest of the research method. By that, observation allows the researcher to study people in their natural setting without their behavior being influenced by the presence of a researcher. The data of an observation generally consist of detailed information of specific situation or a group where it provides more understanding on the situation rather than survey method which it gain less detailed information by larger number of people. There are several types of observations: y Participant observation Requires researcher become a participant of the situation being observed where is discuss on how to enter the context, the role of the researcher as a participant, the collection and storage of field notes, and the analysis of field data. Direct observation People know that they are being observed, but researcher must try to keep low profile so that there will no bias in the observation. The researcher focuses on watching the situation rather than taking part where a videotape can be use as the technique of the direct observation.

Advantages
The recorded events are not necessary rely on willingness and ability of respondents to report accurately. y Observation provides data that includes non-verbal and physical behavior where observers are able to reads body language of subjects. y Observational techniques are often cheaper because there is no need on additional medium to conduct this method as it is conduct in the operating environment itself. Table 2.2: advantages and disadvantages of Observation y y y

Disadvantages
Take time for the researcher to wait for a particular action to take place. Some information might easily discuss with questionnaires than observation; personal and intimate activities involve. Observer might not be present on some particular important event that provides important details of the system.

2.1.3 Questionnaire
Questionnaire is define as list of a research or survey questions asked to respondents, and designed to extract specific information. It the most commonly used method of gathering information about use and users. it is easy to prepare and it is surprisingly easy to prepare a bad one. It is important to be able to avoid major pitfalls and to be able to identify them is research done by others. There are several steps to conduct questionnaire including identify what information is needed, decides what sort of questionnaire to use, creates the first draft, edit and revising, pre testing and revising and lastly, specify procedures for its use. There are some types of questionnaire: y Open-ended Questions Open-ended questions provide no answer choices. They are easy to ask and allow for a wide variety of responses, including the creative and unusual. Open-ended questions are especially useful when you don't know the likely values or can't anticipate how the respondent will respond. These questions force the respondent to think and allow the respondent to clarify and explain a response. Close-ended Questions These questions provide specific answer choices although there may be an "other" value with brief space for adding an additional value. With close-ended questions, there is always the possibility that the right question will not be asked and valuable information will not be gathered. O R D ER ED Ordered close-ended questions require respondents to select a particular response. The responses are easily selected. They take little time; at least by most respondents. These questions require well defined variables and values. U N O R D ER ED Unordered questions ask respondents to rank values and are useful for identifying priorities. Requires well defined variables and values. Unordered close-ended questions are not reliable if there are more than five values.

PA R T I A LLY C LO S E- EN D ED These questions may be ordered or not, but they do include the "other" option which adds some flexibility and provides the opportunity to add information not otherwise captured by the instrument. N U M B ER O F V A LU ES Close-ended questions may be categorized by the number of values. Two value questions are DICHOTOMOUS. These questions are easy to ask and are quickly answered. Analysis is straightforward and quick. Multiple choice questions are also easy to analyze, but do require more time and effort.

Advantages
y y y y y y broad scope ability to observe a phenomena in a natural setting ability to control variables respondents may be more honest in their responses because of the anonymous nature low marginal costs (reusable) easy to administer, score, and code y y y y y y Table 2.3: advantages and disadvantages of Questionnaire

Disadvantages
Provides little depth and understanding of the context and history of a phenomena Structure of questionnaires may cause people to poorly represent their opinion Or subjects may elicit no response on some questions Results may differ if using the same questionnaire in a different context or culture Cannot prove causal relationships Typically low response rates