The Role of Art in the Iraqi Community - Essay Example

Chapter three Methodology 3 Introduction This chapter outlines the methodology for the completion of this research. Research methodology attempts to provide a framework within which an enquiry to a given topic is carried out (Simpson, 2011). The methodology of a research is defined by Kumar (2008) as the overall plan and design for conducting a given research. It includes the tools and techniques used to undertake a given enquiry into a topic under research (Scruggs and Mastropieri, 2006). The research methodology therefore sets the framework for the conduct of a study and defines how the study will be carried out from the initial phases to the conclusion. It gives a clearly structure for the enquiry and help me to stay within a defined set of limits. This methodology provides the scheme for sampling, data collection, data analysis and explanation of findings for the research. For the sake of providing the best understanding, it will be appropriate to summarize important elements of the research to make the research methodology meaningful. The research aims as stated in chapter one are: 1. To provide an understanding of the importance of teaching and maintaining art in the curriculum for students in Iraq. 2. To identify the role that art has played as a subject in the Iraqi community 3. To understand and formulate an opinion on the reasons why art is not an important subject in Iraq 4. Compare the approach to the teaching and learning of art in the UK with that of Iraq 3.2 Qualitative and quantities research Silverman, (2004) states that qualitative methods are meant to provide an observation of social phenomenon from a close analysis of facts and trends with a critical review of information to provide an opinion by me This means that qualitative research methods are mainly concerned with the assessment of social events with a view of making critical conclusion . However, Marshall and Rossman (2010) identify qualitative research as a field of enquiry that cuts across disciplines and fields and examines key concepts. Which means it is theoretical and does not really seem to be related to figures. On the other hand quantitative research focuses on figures and trends to provide ideas from experimental studies (Silverman, 2004). This is different from qualitative research which is more theories and ideas. In this research, the primary approach would be more theoretical, making it more of a qualitative research. It would examine patterns and trends in peoples perception towards Art Education at the secondary school level in both Iraq and the UK. Within the findings there would be some elements of statistical analysis to provide a pattern and tone that is quantitative in nature. 3.3 Research sample Sampling is an important element for the study of a representative body to acquire information about a subject that can be generalised over a wider population (Dodds, 2011). In order to understand each of the four objectives, there will be the need to study a carefully selected proportion of the population to come up with findings that would be applicable to the objectives. Sampling is important because I cannot really study the entire population (Babbie, 2010: Zikmund and Babin, 2011). Since it is impossible to study the whole Iraqi secondary school system and the UK educational system in full, the research would only concentrate on a selected sample. The wider population involves the education authority in Iraq and the teachers and their classroom activities. Samples will be taken from schools in the UK and in Iraq. 3.4 Validity and reliability in research Validity refers to the use of right and correct methods or systems to conduct a research (Cohen et al, 2007). Therefore, the use of such methods needs to be justified. Reliability is about maintaining confidence in the work by showing that accuracy and other important yardsticks are protected throughout the research (Goodwin, 2009). 3.5 Data Collection The main data for the research will be collected from questionnaires and secondary sources. 3.5.1 Secondary Sources (Documents) Secondary sources involve the use of books and other documents that are authored by authoritative figures (Kothari, 2005 p18). This means that the researcher will have to peruse these books, journals and other documents to critique important information that is relevant to the topic at hand (Singh, 2009 p113). Due to the remote factor in generate data I had to rely on secondary sources of data gathering from schools in Iraq. For this study secondary sources will include the collection of information about important documents which relate to the position of art education in Iraq and the United Kingdom. This will be done through the checking of important documents that describe the position of art education in both countries. This will include an examination of current educational policies and important arrangements towards studies in both countries. In the examination of secondary sources, relevance will be the main guiding principle. In other words documents that provide relevant information about the state of Art education at the secondary level in the UK and Iraq will form the basis of the choice of documents to be studied in the research. Although the research would attempt to use reliable books, there is the risk that the books used would have some inherent biases and weaknesses . In order to avoid replicating them, there would be counter evidence and comparison to ensure that only reliable and justifiable information is included in the research 3.5.2 Questionnaires Questionnaires will be handed out to the teachers and students that will be chosen in the sample stage from the school in the UK and the school in Iraq. According to the proverb “Questionnaires are a part of our everyday lives” (Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill, 2009).This will enable me to identify significant information. The questions asked are available in Appendix 1 and 2. The questionnaires are styled in a close ended format to provide quick and easy information about what the respondents think and state in their research. The questionnaires will be sent out to various respondents and their responses will be collected. For the purpose of easy analysis, the same questionnaires will be distributed both in the UK and in Iraq in the two languages. This will ensure that the comparison would be easy and analyses can be completed at a much faster rate. The results of the questionnaires will be collated and presented in a visual format. This will show the percentage of respondents that gave particular answers. This will be presented in a format that will give a visual impression to the viewer. This will be supported by strong descriptions of the trends and features to provide an aid to how teachers and students view the teaching and learning of Art in secondary schools in both Iraq and the UK. Although questionnaires are ideal for this research, it comes with its own weaknesses. This is because some of the respondents might be a little subjective and this could lead to biases. In order to prevent this problem, the questionnaires would be designed to take straightforward answers and make it difficult for wrong and biased comments to be made. 3.6 Data Analysis The findings of both the secondary source and the questionnaires will be collected and summary to show the trends and correlations. Again the analysis will be done so as to reflect the two data forms that are studied. 3.6.1 Secondary Sources Source analysis involves the collation of information in a manner that enables it to be aligned with the topic at hand (Cohen et al, 2009). This means that secondary methods require some degree of careful and critical analyses. The secondary sources will be analysed through a summary format. This will involve the compilation of summarized information about how the policy framework of the Iraqi system relates to the teaching and study of Art in secondary schools. Also, there will be the summary of secondary sources on the role that Art has played in the Iraqi community. 3.7 Ethical consideration This research would be conducted with respect to various ethical requirements of research. As such, all relevant ethics in research in the UK would be included in the research. The relevant laws that will be honoured in this research is the Data Protection Act 1988. This will require that the consent every respondent will be respected. In this wise, there will be a disclosure of our obligations in the data collection exercise that will be disclosed in every question. The strict rules of the UK Data Protection Act will be respected in the Iraqi studies. Ethical requirements of the Universitys Research rules will be honoured, especially in the critique of secondary sources. This means that the researcher will take adequate care to cite sources according to the Harvard Referencing rules. Also, efforts will be made to prevent plagiarism and other matters. Also, in recommending solutions to issues, a stakeholder approach will be used. This will attempt to recognize all the relevant stakeholders and integrate their demands and needs in the recommendations. Care will be taken to honour the wider peace of the community and the constitution of Iraq where necessary. 3.8 Summary The methods used to generate date for this study will create the broad framework through which I will identify the position of Art in secondary education in Iraq. References Kothari, C. R. (2005) Research Methods Delhi: New Age Publishing. Singh R. (2009) Research Methodology New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill. Read More