Communication in online education environments
The invention of computers in the recent past has paved the way for the fast and efficient spread of the use of internet across the world. As a result, the internet has opened the way and eased communication due to the invention of the various use of online media in communication. Among the fields impacted positively by the utilization of the internet is the education sector which has experienced significant boost as it is easier to acquire an education, just as one can learn it in a classroom, via an online education environment.
The emergence of online education has provided a useful studying opportunity for students across all walks of life, and as a result, research pertaining communication in online education environments is becoming increasingly important to gauge its impact, reliability as well as changes that can be enacted to improve its operation further. To effectively analyze and research communication that occurs in online education environments, qualitative research method is best likely to give the ideal representation of the ideal situation on the ground.
Qualitative method is the best research approach to assess communication in online education environments as it helps determine the effectiveness of communication as a tool in enhancing online education, its strength, and weakness, the perceptions of those who use the media and also creates a clear picture of the dynamics of communication in the online platform.
Strengths of qualitative research methods
First and the most important aspect of the qualitative method is that it provides a cultural assessment in its analysis. Through the use of the qualitative method, it is possible to probe the determine behavior of communication in online education environment as well as get its the assumptions beliefs and underlying values involved in the sector.
Secondly, in regards to the qualitative method, it provides an opportunity for the participants to be involved as it is inquiry based. Since the method is not preconceived, it paves the way for a broader and more open minded conversation among the participants which helps provide the best information in regards to communication in an online education environment. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Thirdly, qualitative method unlike quantitative method helps to yield more information about communication in online education environment as it is acquiring views from diverse groups with different perspectives. Therefore, it becomes easier to obtain reliable information from a group of people who respond together rather than use of a nuanced approach such as surveys to acquired data as it is in quantitative method of research
Weaknesses of qualitative method of approach
Firstly, a major weakness of the approach is that it is easy to overlook a major issue when researching communication in online education environments. Because the method is open minded and the participants exercise control over the content in data collection, it is likely that information may be omitted thus rendering the research method ineffective.
Secondly, the method of research is time wasting. Compared to quantitative research method, the lack of practical guidelines during research may cause lengthy time frames during the cultural assessment.
Thirdly, the use of qualitative research method in researching the communication in the online education environment may prove costly. The high costs are incurred due to the complexities involved in analyzing the data as they are rather labor intensive compared to quantitative methods of research as processes such as categorizing and recording require skilled interviewers to extract the right kind of information from participants without from the set objective.
Research question using qualitative research design
What are the experiences of students in using communication in online education environment?
The research question design identifies the phenomenon to be explored which is communication in an online education environment. The question provides an interrogative as well as the reflective process which gives direction and shape to the issue in the study.
.
Research question using quantitative research design
What are the most important factors that determine the effectiveness of communication among students pursuing an education in online education environment?
This type of research design question is effective in regards to the topic as it highlights the dependent variable which is; factors that determine effective communication. The question also highlights a particular group which is students pursuing an education in online education environment thereby helping to develop a relevant hypothesis about communication and online education environment.