Research methodology is the method, means or ... - DSpace@UM

in which event occurs, and may enable the researcher to see things that participants
themselves are not aware of, or that they are unwilling to discuss (Patton, 1990).
During observation, researcher only had limited interaction with the participants,
intervening only when further clarification of actions is needed. On this way, the
researcher was able to observe participants as they engage in activities that would
probably occur in the same way if the researcher were not present (Mack, 2004). The
observation data consists of field notes recorded in field notebooks. Furthermore, the
game authoring workshop is being videotaped. Recording have the advantage of
capturing data more faithfully than hurriedly written note might, and can make it easier
for the researcher to focus on the observation (Marie, 1997).
ii) Focus Group
Focus group research is being applied during the pre and post meeting among the
researcher and participants. Focus group is a way of collecting qualitative data, whichessentially
– involves engaging a small number of people in an informal group
discussion, „focused‟ around a particular topic or set of issues (Wilkinson, 2005). In this
study, focus group consists of one researcher as moderator and five participants. At the
pre-meeting, participant‟s computer knowledge background is discussed. Knowledge and
interests about RPG among the participants are being addressed. While at post-meeting,
the researcher discuss the subject matter which being constructed during the gameauthoring
workshop. Besides, knowledge that being built and the obstacles being
encountered while the game-authoring workshop were elicited.
One reason for the contemporary popularity of focus groups is the flexibility of the
method (Wilkinson, 2005). In this study, focus group was taking place in a classroom.
The proceedings are being videotaped. By using this approach, the researcher has to act
as the moderator. The moderator leaded the discussion by asking participants to respond
to open-ended questions – that is, questions that require an in depth response rather than a
single phrase or simple “yes” or “no” answer (Mack et-al, 2005). Besides, the moderator
has to ensure the full participation among the participants. The moderator may need to
37