RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
4.1 Introduction
The term research methodology is frequently used as a general heading for carrying out research (Gog, 2016). Research represents a systematic approach to determine the research question. Usually, the choice of methodology is influenced by the adopted theoretical perspective (Gray, 2004: 16; Connaway
& Powell, 2010:32). The term methodology describes how to advance from the findings of empirical exploration to make inferences regarding reality (Jackson, Drummond, & Camara, 2007; Teddlie & Tashakkori, 2009: 21).
Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2012: 3, 4, 674) defined research methodology as the theory and basis of a philosophical assumption that builds how research should be carried out.
The purpose of the research methodology chapter is to provide basic assumptions about the nature of the phenomenon being examined, what constitutes justifiable research and which research methods fit a particular research venture (Myers, 1997). As a result, methods emerge from the methodology and provide the means and measures to analyse data. Polit and Beck (2004: 15) and Teddlie and Tashakkori (2009: 21) maintained that the researcher uses techniques to structure a study and gather and analyse information relevant to the research questions. They include specific strategies and procedures for implementing the chosen research design which is determined by the overall methodological orientation (Rajasekar, Philominathan & Chinnathambi, 2013; Kothari, 2009). Generally, the research methodology chosen for a particular study depends on the kind and
92 characteristics of the research problem, its freshness in research terms, and the available time and resources to carry out the research (Wilson, 2002; Noor, 2008). Additionally, Creswell (2018:40) stated that the researcher‟s experience and the audience for the study must also be considered. Accordingly, the researcher‟s experience as an ASL and in-depth views of academics‟
experiences needed to solve the problem at hand informed the methodological choices in the current study.
More importantly, Tan and Hall (2007) opined that in an ethnographic study conducted under the interactionist concepts and tradition, the research method ought to agree with the ideas of symbolic interactionism. With this in mind, the Symbolic Interactionist Ethnography (SIE) theory employed for this study figured out the research questions that influenced the study‟s methodological choices. Consequently, this study being mindful of academic staff‟s use of e- library databases, was able to select suitable methods to explore how the resources are used for research.
The chapter explores and justifies the different elements that make up the research methodology of the study. It begins with the philosophical foundation of research. Four main research paradigms were reviewed. Again, the chapter discusses the Interpretivism as the key methodological paradigm. While embedded in rich conversations with study participants, the current researcher considers the academics‟ use of e-library databases in universities from a different ontological and epistemological perspective than prior literature on the topic. It is crucial for the study to include the profiles of academic staff, Systems Librarians, and the researcher (See Sections 4.4.1 & 4.6.1 of this chapter for the full details).
93 The researcher, an Academic Subject Librarian (ASL), was embedded into academic faculties in one of the universities (University of Jos, UniJos, Nigeria). The practice was possible through engagement in teaching information/digital literacy, participation in Faculty Board meetings, and sensitisation on the use of e-library databases at the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Additionally, the researcher had previously developed a good relationship with both the ASLs and some academic staff at the selected universities during conferences and workshops. For this reason, it was easier for the researcher to switch roles from an ASL, a teacher, to an ethnographer for data collection.
On the other hand, academic staff in Nigerian universities resume work by 8a.m. and close by 4p.m. The research sites, the University of Jos (UniJos) and the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM) are federal universities in Nigeria. UniJos‟s Bauchi Road Campus is located on Bauchi Road, while the Naraguta Campus is located along FarinGada Road Naraguta, Jos Plateau State. The FUAM is a university of agriculture, located in North Bank, Makurdi, Benue State (Please see details in section 1.1.2 of chapter one, and section 4.5 of this chapter). The researcher was immersed in unobtrusive and participatory observation of the academics‟ use of the e-library databases, in the universities for a year. Such „immersion‟ allowed the researcher to personally gather rich data of academic staff‟s teaching and research activities using e-library databases, onsite; when at work and online; when at home.
Specifically, their use of the e-library databases in the libraries was analysed by observing the learning/study spaces reserved for academics in the libraries, and the interaction between the ASLs and the academics. Also, user experiences and library websites were analysed (See Section 4.9.1 and Appendix 7). The notes recorded academics‟ research behaviours, activities,
94 and events observed. The field notes as well documented the researchers‟
perspectives/ role in the research process/ events observed.
Finally, the chapter further describes ethnography and the rationalisation for its use in the present study. As a result of research design choice, the study presented the researcher‟s positionality. Also, the chapter describes the participants and sampling methods; data gathering methods; credibility and trustworthiness of methods used; collection procedures and analysis. Ethical issues were as well examined.