The review is based on a master thesis by Ivo Kiviorg, “Functions of Online Communities”, which is an empirical research paper. The research concentrates on studies considering working principles of the communities, and then proposes two questions, which ought to find out what online communities offered to their members and what tied the latter together in the communities. The author of the research paper intended to find an appropriate approach to study the areas of interest.
Although the author of the paper has not defined the used methodology, the paper is built upon quantitative research. It has the following features: (1) its structure is rigid, (2) literature review has a major role on the research questions and proposed 13 concepts, (3) data is measurable (it has a numerical format), and observable, (4) it uses statistical analysis of a survey and compares it with previous findings. (Mack et al., 2005)
The author of the research paper uses a cross-sectional survey design with a sample of 387 people from an online community Rada7.ee with a response rate of over 75%. Then survey data is analysed using factor analysis, principal component analysis method and Varimax rotation. Correlation design was also used to find out the motivations underlying social identification of the sample, because the relations between different questions are found in order to compile them into five factors.
The purpose of using quantitative methodology was to collect data in order to analyse the information about peoples’ ties in the communities to derive the answers to the questions that the author of the research paper initially asked. Ivo Kiviorg used such methodology in order to find out how various people identified themselves in the community and how the pre-given concepts varied among people.
This kind of methodology was not sufficient, even the author states that the issue needs further longitudinal research. In this case the sample was chosen from only one community, which clearly is not enough for the data collected for defining the 13 concepts needed for description of the social ties in online communities. Perhaps the same amount of people from different online communities would be a better sample. Qualitative elements might have been used in order to study various communities and the patterns of communication between users (a more longitudinal study which needs gathering data from e.g. the users’ posts in order to analyse whether the 13 concepts were really functioning) to get more precise outcomes.
A Methodological Plan of Research Project “English as a Foreign Language Learning through Interactive Educational Games”
The broad topic of the research is learning English through online games. The problem of my study lies in the lack of online game use in the basic school level language lessons. In order to justify the problem, I will provide evidence by reviewing the literature.
The purpose of this study will find out whether and which online games initiate English language learning motivation. The following questions narrow down the purpose:
- Does learning through games improve the motivation and test scores of Estonian Digital Natives (Prensky, 2001)?
- What amount of game use is appropriate in the English lessons?
- What kinds of games are appropriate to use in the English lessons?
Research objectives in this study are:
- To determine the (a) frequency and (b) types of games used in Estonian basic school English lessons.
- To observe whether the use of games affects on the (a) motivation, and (b) test scores of the pupils.
For my research I will use participatory action research to observe the progress and the motivation level of the students in English lessons through games, and get the answers to my research questions. Practical action research will be good for focusing on how to improve student motivation in English lessons. Action research comprises of both qualitative and quantitative research, thus mixed methods are used.
To collect data I will first specify random samples among basic school students aged 10 – 16 in different Estonian schools, and assign their teachers specific tasks. With the help of other teachers we will observe and analyse two sample groups in one grade level of each school. The study will give reflection on whether games improve English language learning in basic school or not.
As for the process, first, the analysis of the existing theory is conducted in order to define the needs of today’s learners aged 10 – 16. For this purpose literature is reviewed and analysed. Secondly it will be necessary to specify the games that will be used in the lessons for learning fixation process. Work with National Curriculum will be conducted in order to define the most useful games. Thirdly the games are used in lessons. One sample group will learn through games for a certain amount of time, but the other sample group will learn without interactive online resources. Both groups will be tested several times in order to measure their outcomes. Teachers have to make notes about each process so that they can be analysed later. In the end an open-ended-question survey will be conducted among these sample groups of pupils for their self-reflection. The teachers also reflect upon their opinions of the test groups.
When the data is collected, analysis is needed in order to evaluate current research. First, the data will be evaluated and processed. Then the findings will be compared and analysed. The outcome should evaluate the answers to the research questions. Future research is most definitely suggested, because learning through games is a fairly new research topic, especially in Estonia
Finally the data is arranged in a correct manner in the research paper with proper references and correct language use.
Used Sources
1. Creswell, John. Educational research. Prentice Hall, 2005. Print.
2. Kiviorg, Ivo. Functions of Online Communities. Tallinn, 2009. Internet
3. Järvinen, Pertti. On research methods. Opinpajan kirja, 2001. Print.
4. Rugg, Gordon, and Marian Petre. A gentle guide to research methods. Open Univ Pr, 2006. Print.
4. Natasha Mack, Cynthia Woodsong, and Estados Development. Qualitative research methods. Family Health International, 2005 (p. 2). Print.
5. Given, Lisa. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods. Sage Publications, Inc, 2008. Print.
6. Niglas, Katrin. Course slides. Tallinn, 2009
7. Prensky, Marc.Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. Part I. Internet, 2001
9. Action Research. Wikipedia. Internet. Date of access: 27/12/2009
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