Role of Intellectual Property Rights and Public Awareness of Digital Protection on Digital Learning - Research Paper Example

Significance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Public Awareness of Digital Protection on Digital Learning Number Name and Number Name of Professor Date of Submission Number of Words: 3,005 Table of Contents I. Introduction ………………………………………………………………. 4 II. The Research Design Using the Three Approaches for the Focus of Enquiry ………………………………………………………..... 6 a. Quantitative Approach and Research Design ..………….... 6 a.1 Research Design for Quantitative Approach ……. 7 a.1.1 Statement of the Problem …………….. 7 a.1.2 Research Questions …………………… 7 a.1.3 Purpose of the Selected Research Design ………………………………….. 7 a.1.4 Types of Quantitative Research Design ………………………. 7 a.1.5 Method: Quantitative Research Survey . 8 a.1.6 Research Analysis ……………………… 9 b. Qualitative Approach and Research Design …………....…. 10 b.1 Research Design for Qualitative Approach ………. 11 b.1.1 Statement of the Problem …………….. 11 b.1.2 Research Questions …………………… 11 b.1.3 Purpose of the Selected Research Design ………………………………….. 11 b.1.4 Types of Quantitative Research Design ………………………. 12 b.1.5 Method: Research Interview …………... 12 b.1.6 Research Analysis ……………………… 13 c. Critical Approach in Quantitative Research Survey and Qualitative Research Interview ……………………………… 15 c.1 Research Design for Critical Approach …….……. 16 c.1.1 Statement of the Problem …………….. 16 c.1.2 Research Questions …………………… 16 c.1.3 Purpose of the Selected Research Design ………………………………….. 16 c.1.4 Types of Critical Research Design ………………………. 16 c.1.5 Method: Ethnography ………………….. 17 c.1.6 Research Analysis ……………………… 17 III. Conclusion ………………………..………………………………………. 18 References ………………………………………………………………..… 19 – 21 Chapter I – Introduction The main purpose of protecting the intellectual property of the originator or the writer is to encourage them to share their thoughts, idea, personal opinions, and learning materials to its intended beneficiaries without facing the risk of providing other people from stealing the originators’ or writers’ idea (Anderson, 1998, p. 15, 23). With regards to the fair use of digital learning materials, it is the fellow writers and originator who has the right to dictate about its appropriate use. As a result, educators and students are able to use the copies of other people’s work without the need to pay money for its royalties (Anderson, 1998, p. 25). Under the 1976 U.S. copyright law, the owner of copyrighted materials were given the legal right to control the reproduction of their own works and creation, the display of their digital materials, and the distribution of their professional works and masterpieces (Ulius, 2003, p. 62). Demand for digital learning is increasing. By personally seeking permission from the copyright owner(s) before using their published works and ideas, educators and students should respect the existing law behind digital protection. This study will focus on examining the significance of intellectual property rights (IPR) and public awareness of digital protection on digital learning at Botswana College of Open and Distance Learning (BOCODOL). By incorporating the three approaches including the qualitative (interpretive / subjective), quantitative (objective / realism) and critical (analytical / critical / normative) in the research design, whether or not the students at BOCODOL are prone on violating the intellectual property rights of the writers and digital publishers will be addressed in the primary research study. The main purpose of this paper is to examine how the combination of qualitative, quantitative and critical approaches in research methods could strengthen the reliability and accuracy of the research study results. To satisfy the use of the quantitative research approach, the research design for this study will make use of research survey approach. For the qualitative and critical approaches, the significance of research interview and the use of a combine quantitative and qualitative research will be tackled in details respectively. Aside from discussing the statement of the problem and research questions for each of the three major research approaches, the conceptual framework of qualitative, quantitative and critical research methods will be thoroughly examined by going through the in-depth analysis and personal point-of-views of existing authors in academic books and peer-reviewed journals. Chapter II – The Research Design Using the Three Approaches for the Focus of Enquiry Quantitative Approach and Research Design Quantitative approach in research design is deductive since it uses a standard measurement when analyzing a given data. Through the use of quantitative research survey questionnaires, the researcher will be able to measure the research findings based on the research participant’s individual response to each of the survey question. According to Creswell (2003), the quantitative approach in research study normally make use of post positivist claims when developing concrete information gathered out of the research questions. Upon identifying the variables used in the research study, the researcher can easily examine and analyze the research questions or research hypotheses being observed or measured in statistical form (Creswell, 2003). Statistical information gathered in the research study can be use in terms of providing the researcher with in-depth information concerning the summary and patterns of the research questions being studied (Patton, 2002, p. 16). Likewise, this approach in research study is used by most researchers to surpass the limitations of the qualitative approach in research design (Ritchie & Lewis, 2003). Since qualitative approach in research design is not applicable in terms of generalizing the contextual response of a large group of research respondents in the research findings, it is necessary for the researcher to incorporate the use of quantitative approach in research design (Yin, 2003; Lukka & Kasanen, 1995). Research Design for Quantitative Approach Statement of the Problem The rate in which BOCODOL students are aware and familiar with the IP laws related to digital learning protection. Research Questions The following quantitative research questions are answerable by ‘yes’ or ‘no’. This strategy used in designing the research questions will enable the researcher to measure the personal opinion and answers of the randomly selected research respondents with regards to each of the research question: 1. Are you familiar with the IP laws related to digital learning protection? 2. Are you aware of the U.S. copyright law? 3. Are you aware that plagiarism or violation of the IP law on digital learning is a crime and is legally punishable under the law? Purpose of the Selected Research Design The purpose of selecting quantitative research survey in the research design is to enable the researcher gather a collective response from the randomly selected research respondents. Types of Quantitative Research Design There are a lot of methods used in quantitative research study. Among the different types of quantitative approach that can be used in the research design includes the quantitative research survey method, econometrics, mathematical modeling, and actual experiments conducted inside a laboratory (Straub, Gefen, & Boudreau, 2004). In line with this, econometrics is often used in analyzing economic data (Eatwell, Milgate, & Newman, 1987, p. 8) whereas laboratory tests are often used in the study of medicine and biology. For this reasons, the best approach for this study is the use of quantitative research survey method. Method: Quantitative Research Survey As a way to determine whether or not the students of BOCODOL have sufficient knowledge about the significance and importance of IP laws and increased public awareness of digital protection in terms of improving the quality of digital learning, this study will incorporate quantitative research survey in research design. As a deductive research method, quantitative techniques in the form of research survey study will be applied to enable the researcher make use of standard measurement in measuring research study observation (Creswell, 2003). After designing a quantitative research survey questionnaire which focuses on examining the significance of intellectual property rights (IPR) and public awareness of digital protection on digital learning at BOCODOL, the researcher will invite a total of 50 qualified and randomly selected survey respondents who are currently enrolled in BOCODOL. Since the purpose of this research design is to gather a collective response from the randomly selected research respondents, it is best to make use of quantitative research survey in the research study design. According to Keith Richard (2006), ‘understanding the research process is very important when a researcher decided to apply a qualitative research study in order to avoid heading into a wrong direction’. For this reason, it is important on the part of the researcher to carefully understand and analyze the main purpose of the research study when developing a good quality research survey questionnaire. As soon as the researcher has completed the quantitative research survey questionnaire, the researcher should go through the research survey questionnaire several times to identify specific questions that need to be refined. Research Analysis In measuring the significance of the quantitative data gathered in this study, the researcher will use simple statistical measurement such as the basic computation of frequency and percentage using the Microsoft Office Excel software and SPSS software. Qualitative Approach and Research Design By conducting an observational study in fieldwork or going through the process of conducting a one-on-one interview with highly qualified and randomly selected interviewees, the use of qualitative approach in research design examines the relationship between the nature of the object being examined in its natural setting (Maykut & Morehouse, 1994, p. 68). It means that through the use of qualitative approach in research design, the researcher is empowered to accurately describe and interpret each individual’s personal opinion with regards to the research questions (including the social or external environment wherein the person being interviewed is accustomed with) (Patton, 2002). In response to the research questions highlighted in this study, the researcher plays a significant role when it comes to developing a qualitative research design that is accurate to the main purpose of the qualitative inquiry (Morse & Richards, 2002). Given that the information gathered out of a qualitative research study is highly dependent on the analysis and interpretation of the researcher, Winchester (1999) explained that the process of designing qualitative research study can be considered as a journey wherein the researcher carefully analyzes the interviewee’s personal experiences with regards to the research topic. Since the use of quantitative approach in research design is insufficient in terms of subjectively interpreting or describing the personal opinion of the research respondents with regards to the research topic, it is necessary to incorporate qualitative approach in research design to enable the researcher achieve an in-depth and better understanding about the research topic (Scapens, 2006, p. 10). Research Design for Qualitative Approach Statement of the Problem Descriptive information with regards to the familiarity and awareness of the BOCODOL students with regards to IP laws related to digital learning protection. Research Questions Questions used in qualitative is mostly open-ended. This will enable the research interviewees to provide a clear description or detailed answer to the research questions. In relation to the research topic, the following questions will be used in the research interview process: 1. Can you briefly tell me what exactly do you know about the IP laws related to digital learning? 2. Can you tell me what exactly do you understand about the U.S. copyright law? 3. Plagiarism is a serious crime related to the violation of copyright laws. What are some strategies you use to avoid plagiarism while going through digital learning? Purpose of the Selected Research Design The purpose of selecting qualitative research interview in the research design is to enable the researcher gather descriptive information with regards to how well each of the randomly selected research interviewee understood the significance of IP laws and increased awareness in terms of improving the existing digital learning. Types of Qualitative Research Design Among the different types of qualitative approach that can be used in the research design includes the qualitative research survey method, case studies, and research interview. Although qualitative research survey method can be used in allowing the research survey respondents to provide a more descriptive answer to the research questions, the use of this strategy is not effective in terms of gathering serious and more detailed descriptive answers since most of the research survey respondents may not want to write lengthy answers. This will limit the researcher from being able to make the research participants from fully expressing their personal opinion about the subject matter. Case study is also not applicable in this study since there no past and current research study was made on this topic particularly within the environment of BOCODOL. Method: Research Interview In terms of gathering descriptive answers, the best approach for this study is the use of research interview. Since the researcher would conduct a one-on-one interview with a couple of randomly selected interviewees, there is a strong chance wherein the researcher will be able to convince each of the research interviewee to express in details what they know about the significance of IP laws and increased awareness in terms of enhancing the quality of digital learning. To increase the content validity of the research interview, the researcher will purposely use a list of semi-structured questions. Using an open-ended semi-structured interview questionnaire, the researcher will interview a couple of BOCODOL students particularly with regards to their knowledge and individual opinion with regards to copyright law, importance of increased public awareness, and digital learning. All the information gathered during the research interview will be recorded to ensure that the researcher has all the details needed for the research study. In respect with the ethical consideration in conducting a research study, the researcher will have to inform the research interviewee behind the need to make use of the recording device. During the research interview, the researcher should keep in mind that strategic questioning is highly correlated to the accuracy and validity of the interview results in the sense that collected information throughout the interview process should be appropriate with the research hypothesis and questions. Therefore, it is crucial on the part of the interviewer to carefully prepare the type of questions to be asked with a couple of randomly selected interviewees (Richards, 2006; Richards, 2003). Research Analysis Kvale (1996) explained that the interview results heavily rely on the personal judgment of the researcher rather than a ‘context- and/or content-free rules of method’ (p. 105). It means that the researcher’s personal experiences can be based on the knowledge he/she has obtained by going through the process of the research study or simple reading and assessment of related literature review. When analyzing qualitative research interview results, it is best to combine the research analysis with the gathered literature review and quantitative survey results. Through the use of critical thinking, it is important for the researcher to avoid heavily relying on personal judgment without solid evidences coming from the research participants and the gathered literature review to avoid coming up with bias research conclusion. Critical Approach in Quantitative Research Survey and Qualitative Research Interview Under a philosophical perspective of designing the method to be used in a research study, critical approach has its advantages as compared to the pure dependency over the use of positivist or interpretive approach since critical approach to research is more objective when analyzing the research problem (Yin, 2003; Orlikowski & Baroudi, 1991, p. 5). Researchers can increase the validity of the research study because critical approach in research questions the traditional separation of theory and method, the differences between being subjective and objective, and interpretation and data. With the use of critical thinking, the researcher can increase the research study’s credibility and validity. Therefore, Moss (2004) revealed that critical approach in research can be use in narrowing the barriers that are created by inter-subjective nature of social realities with regards to the BOCODOL students’ perception about the significance of IPR and public awareness of digital protection on digital learning. Aside from being diverse and more flexible, Rombach, Basili, & Selby (1992) explained that critical inquiry enables the researcher to change the status quo by improving the limitations associated with the use of positivist and/or interpretive research (p. 113). As part of conducting ethnographic study, critical approach in this study will make use of qualitative research interview as a way of collecting data. Research Design for Critical Approach Statement of the Problem Objective description of BOCODOL students’ perception regarding the significance of public awareness and familiarity with the IP laws on digital learning. Research Questions The following open-ended questions will be use in this study: 1. Kindly explain what you know about IP laws related to digital learning protection. 2. Why would you consider an increase in public awareness on Digital Protection improve digital learning environment? 3. What are some ways in which BOCODOL students could avoid violating the IP law on digital learning? Purpose of the Selected Research Design The purpose of selecting ethnography in the research design is to ensure that the researcher will be able to accurately describe the nature of the randomly selected interviewees together with their personal opinion with regards to the significance of IP laws and public awareness on digital learning. Types of Critical Research Design Among the different types of critical approach that can be used in the research design includes ethnography and case study. In line with this, case study is not applicable in this study since there no past and current research study was made on this topic particularly within the environment of BOCODOL. Since ethnography will give the researcher a more objective research finding, this study will utilize ethnographic method in research design. Method: Ethnography To determine whether or not the students of BOCODOL have sufficient knowledge about the significance and importance of IP laws and increased public awareness of digital protection in terms of improving the quality of digital learning, the researcher will randomly select qualified research interviewees who are currently enrolled at BOCODOL. After designing the research interview questionnaire, the researcher will invite 2 qualified and randomly selected research interviewees to participate in this study. Basically, the open-ended questions will allow the researcher to gather descriptive answers from the research interviewees. To ensure that the research findings will be objective, the researcher will conduct ethnographic observation during the entire interview process. Research Analysis In analyzing the data gathered, a combination of research interview and ethnographic observation will be used in this study. In line with this, ethnographic observation during the research interview will be useful in terms of enabling the researcher make objective research findings. . Chapter III – Conclusion Positivist paradigm focuses on quantitative data whereas constructivism focuses on defining the value, meaning, feelings, thoughts, and beliefs behind the information being investigated by the researchers (Halcomb & Andrew, 2005; Shih, 1998). Since each of the research method has its advantages and disadvantages, research design that will be used in this study combines three major approaches of enquiry known as the quantitative, qualitative, and critical research method. Granlund (2001) explained that the use of both qualitative and quantitative research methods has its own unique strength and weaknesses. In order to enhance the accuracy of the internal, external, and construct validation of the research enquiry, several research studies suggest the need to combine qualitative and quantitative research method to increase the accuracy of the research findings (Thogersen-Ntoumani & Fox, 2005; Ritchie & Lewis, 2003; Hopmann, 2002; Patton, 2002, p. 16; Lukka & Kasanen, 1995). Basically, conducting a qualitative research study is necessary to enable the researcher to have a better understanding of the research topic. This is possible by gathering useful descriptive information with regards to the awareness of BOCODOL students with regards to the significance of intellectual property rights (IPR) and public awareness of digital protection on digital learning (Scapens, 2006, p. 10; Patton, 2002). 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