As far as I could remember, I have taught Research Methodology for Human
Development (FEM 3002) undergraduate students at the Faculty of Human Ecology,
for more than 10 years. Of late, maybe for like 5 years
or so, I taught the same course, Research Methodology (FEM 6001) for Doctoral
Students from different faculties (e.g., Faculty of Economy, Faculty of Food
Technology, Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Design and Architecture, Faculty of
Medicine & Health Sciences). I have and will always enjoy teaching Research
Methodology Course for students at any level. It is just not about the same
matter, but the students matter most. Somehow, I just have a soft spot for
them. Since I am on sabbatic for the coming semester and next, I am on break
from teaching. Hence, this blog would help put my thoughts and experiences on
Research Methodology. InsyaaAllah, I hope too that what I will be sharing will
benefits some students, especially the beginners.
Through the years I find that there are some students who are wary when
they have to enroll in a Research Methodology course. Their thought of the
course itself make them shaky. Like it or not, they still have to take the course. If they do not, then they would not complete their curriculum and thus,
would not be able to graduate. On the first day, it was quite obvious that
these students came to class anxious and with loads of negative perceptions,
which they picked up mostly from those who have taken the class and perhaps did
not do so well. The following are some of the reasons they shared with me:
- Research Methodology course is a killer
subject. You will never get an ‘A’.
- There's just too much too learn and read. If you do
not catch-up, you will not be able to follow what is being taught on the
following topic, and probably till the end.
- You have to learn every thing in sequence,
step-by-step in order for you to better understand the whole course. You can
afford to miss class.
- It is too scientific, too abstract, concepts sound so
'Greek', difficult to understand.
- Too much statistics, if you are not good in Math, you
will suffer.
- There are too much work, you have to attend and submit
laboratory assignments weekly.
- The class and lab take 5 hours weekly, you cannot
commit that much time when you have other classes to attend to.
- All in all, it’s just too hard. If you do not help
yourself, nobody can help you to effectively learn and ‘graduate’ from the
class with a good grade.
Believe it or not, no matter how negative some
students perceived the class upon enrollment, they continue to sail through the
class. Some of them do come up and declared that they never knew that Research
Methodology class is actually enjoyable. And this usually happens just like
towards the end of the course – when they have sufficiently helped themselves
to learn and be competent. Thus, once you know what Research Methodology is all
about you will grow to like it and feels great. You will feel even more elevated
when you could use what you lhave earned in real research project and finally contribute
to the world of knowledge.
