What is Content Analysis???

The author's study uses a variety of qualitative approaches. Qualitative research includes interviews, participant observation, surveys and content analysis (CA) on archival documents through secondary data which is in the form of weblogs. In qualitative research, the problem is unstructured and that is the reason why the qualitative technique is more efficient (Rasli, 2005). For the mode of analysis of this research, content analysis is applied through the Hermeunetic Theory. Hermeunetic Theory is based on interpretive philosophy and is used for interpreting meanings of text-analogue (Myers, 1997). The reason for this, because of the researcher interprets the text of meanings from the entries in the subject’s weblogs for both Study 1 which are Malaysian undergraduate students located in Manchester, United Kingdom and Study 2 which are Malaysian undergraduate students located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Based on Neuman (2006), content analysis is a technique used to gather and analyse the content of text. It refers to communicated words, meanings, pictures, symbols, ideas, themes or any message. The text can be communication from written, visual or spoken media. For example, it can be from books, newspapers or magazine articles, advertisements, speeches, official documents, films or videotapes, musical lyrics, photographs, articles of clothing or works of art.

Furthermore, content analysis is non-reactive analysis because the process will not be influenced by the process of placing words, messages or symbols by the researcher who analyses the content (Neuman, 2006). Content analysis can also allow the researcher to summarise the content, such as messages or meaning, in a source of communication. In addition, with content analysis, a researcher may compare and analyse content across many texts. It can be done by qualitative techniques using charts or tables, and it shows that content analysis simplifies the aspects of the text’s content that are hard to see (Neuman, 2006).

Wordle testing

can click to the image for get the bigger image

My Executive Summary

can click at the both of figures one by one to see more clear......

Got opportunity for me.................

To do my post doc research after this.....

I think one of reason because of Malaysians are friendly person.....

the source
Japan has fewest digital friends
Mouse and keyboard More people are accessing news via digital means

Malaysians have the most friends on their social networks, while Japanese users have the fewest.

This is one of the findings of a large-scale research project, looking at online behaviour around the globe.

It also found that digital sources are overtaking TV, radio and newspapers as the media channel of choice for 61% of the online population around the world.

The study, conducted by research firm TNS, interviewed 50,000 consumers in 46 countries for the study.

In Malaysia the average number of friends is 233, closely followed by 231 in Brazil and 217 in Norway.
Continue reading the main story
Related stories

* Smartphone overseas web warning
* Facebook driving mobile net usage

This contrasts to an average of just 29 friends in Japan, and 68 in China.

The results could suggest "a culture that embraces fewer but closer friendships," thinks TNS's chief development officer Matthew Froggatt.

As well as having the most friends, Malaysians are also the heaviest users of social networking sites, spending an average of nine hours per week on them.

It is followed by Russia, where people spend an average 8.1 hours per week online and Turkey where 7.7 hours a week are spent on social networks.

Socially mobile

The study found that consumers are now spending more time on social networking sites than using e-mail.

This is fuelled in part by the rise in mobile net access.

In the US, a third of online consumers expect to be accessing social networks via their mobile phones over the next 12 months, compared to a quarter via a PC.

In Sweden, over half said they would access social networks via mobile and just a quarter cited the traditional PC.

National crisis

The importance of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter is being explored in a separate study at the University of East London.

Researchers are using three British cities - London, Birmingham and Carlisle, to study whether social networks could help save lives in the event of a national crisis.

"We are working on the premise that, as technological advances continue, the traditional mediums of television and radio may become usurped in their potency in terms of delivering important messages to society at large," said Professor John Preston, who is leading the project.

The TNS study, which the researchers hope will become an annual project, also found that countries newer to the digital world are embracing online activities at a faster rate to those in more mature markets.

In China four out of five users have written their own blog, compared to only 32% in the US.

"In rapid growth markets...users are embracing these new channels in much more active ways. The digital world is transforming how they live, develop and interact," said Mr Froggatt.

in my FB account itself at this moment, I have 523 friends...but sometimes actually my real friends I have in FB are not more 10 friends only.......BUT I like privacy settings in the FB functions.....more unknown things which I have to explore yet...........

Honestly to share- Try not being lazy when look this comments>>>Still far away to go...............

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM THE EXAMINERS
*Sorry, only comments no full answers provided here...think for your research context please;some of them is my sv's suggested answer; not my answer at all......................................

1-Dr Polly
i-Can you explain some the theories you have used and where this fills in your research?
*Needed to say the context not too much details; Need clear one sentence definition; if they are both same meanings

2-Dr Gordon
What is the main finding in this thesis?
* A list of the CSF actually is…; Needs to be shorter and more to the point

3-Dr Polly
Could you explain interpretive paradigm/ phenomenological since you seems to have done a survey
*My answer was too long, supposedly need to say very precisely

4-Dr Gordon
What is the difference between KL and Manchester? What have you found?
*my answer is not too much, but concern on Politic,
added by my sv - How in your thesis do you account for the difference in the student: Malaysian in UK(overseas country) and Malaysian in KL(home country)? How do you deal with this?


6- Dr Polly
You have used various survey tools; surveymonkey/nvivo;
What are the limitations/drawbacks of using these tools
*Supposedly answered in a practical way

7-Dr Gordon
How did you get to Chapter 7- Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 not showing the links with Chapter 7
Analysis is missing-where is this? Taken out but that is more towards the raw data
At what point do you tell the reader what you did I got to Chapter 7(but how did you get that?) Describe the whole process- summarise or synthesize the process
How you have classified and codify the data findings? Not clearly explained still in tacit way-supposedly in explicit way- as further works

8-Dr Gordon and Dr Polly
i-Data analysis needs more work
ii-How did you do that research
iii-Classify & Categorisation

9-Dr Gordon
i-How do you account for cultural difference?
ii-Do you classify the same posting in the same or different categories?
iii-Pistic/Social categories
iv-Need to be reassured that classifications correct-is it subjective-that is missing
v-You are not acknowledge your own involvement- as a Malaysian student- all these factors shaped your decision @ ‘you are not acknowledging things that should be acknowledgement

10- Dr Polly
i-Did you have ‘ethical dilemmas’
ii-Where is ethics- in chapter 4-need to be a heading/subheading somewhere-needs to be explicit
iii-If they know you are observing them, how did that affect the results?
iv-The researcher believes in ‘subjective reality’- put all this here….

11-Dr Gordon & Dr Polly-need argueable discussion in thesis
i- The whole issue servicing Web 2.0-how do you define it?
you are trying to reconcile all the differences and get your definition
ii-What would you say Web 2.0 is ? in 1 or 2 sentences
Reason : Blogs are an application are personal diary
Social Networking isn’t really Web 2.0 in its own setting
( he is asking about the broader concept)
iii- It’s a bit messy ; Define our term on your scope; You have taken your own definition I used that = synthesis of variables prevailing= 1 theories
iv- Page 182-validation
v- Not met English standard

12-Dr Gordon
i- need to say what you have done precisely
ii- English; This | linking problem
iii- Tables- question use the tables; here a lots of done would be better as TEXT
iv- this has to be as long that corrects together–look at flow| how it connects pace and flow

All these question can be my potential questions in the real exam soo.......have to practice more and more after this.......

Still on the way.....

I have only 7 days before submit to school office and it still on the way....
After my sv has been reviewed on important chapter, I still have look further some important part;abstract,discussion and flow in the research findings....

Million thanks to my PR, trying her best give full commitment to me in help me enhance my academic writing skills...

Noter:7-2(weekend)=5 days...?????????????????hopefully I'll make it.....

After 28th meeting....

Just back from meet my sv few hours ago...After showing main findings cum the draft of report to her...this is the important notes that I should bear and take actions for my report and exam soon:

1- English must excellent either in report and presentation day-VERY IMPORTANT okay dear....that is the reason my works always must be proof-read!!!!!!!!!!!!

2- Figures must be clear and clarify the content of Figures- do not put the abbreviation in the Figure to avoid the examiner irritate with your Figures.....

3- Reminder for me for this exam:
a- what is your research about?
b- what is your research aim?
c- what is your research methodology has been?
e.g Content analysis & Malaysian blogs
d- how did you measure the KSB? where it comes from-
FLOW must have to ensure the examiner understand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's it...follow her tips, inshaallah I'll be safe with bless from my Creator......amin....................

Clear,Consistent and Standardize....

That is my challenges now....still struggle finishing my IE report and my challenges is to make my findings chapter(C.5,6 and 7) is understandable...since it is qualitative
# 'mcm research 'syok sendiri' pun ada.....'#....

that is the most challengeable for me .......I understand what I'm doing but to makes reader understand what I want to express the meanings is very hard.....(my Proofreader[Dr HH] of draft report said to me for this part okay....)

the difficulties in my stages now.....my aim to submit the report to school office is 29th April inshaallah....this coming 21stApril have to meet my sv to discuss more on findings presentation...no more final preparation yet.....mashaallah...come on girl...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Struggle struggle struggle...can you????

I need to struggle but how....help me....I really need the struggle.....
full stop...continue write up the transcribe report....


Since last night I managed to finish up my transcribing and today I'll try to settle it with type it back on Microsoft word and this night I must crosscheck again.....

I'm felt that my voice almost 65% in that interview???erm...actually it 's not easy to tackle and get the answer from the interviewee, I have to keep probe and probe until they understand my means......this is my second experience...last year,I've done for my study 1 at Manchester here, I supposedly not choose in restaurant which it can be disturbing the conversation and this one it's quite better since it was happen in campus....

Too long gap between study 1(done in Nov 2008) and study 2 (done in Sept 2009)...erm...I hope that is not the main issue..... the important is the point in the interview report..hopefully it can be my proof and justification for my fieldwork data and off course for pilot study...and my data collection all in all can be 'polish' up as soon as possible....erm..actually I don't know how to struggle....I just work and work and work when my mood come..if no mood....(tk guna seduit pun..said northern people in Malaysia...hahahaha)..I bless my data collection and data analysis will settled before february 2010 insyallah...!!!!!!!!!!!!

note- my daughter is getting better..but she still have cough and cold...no fever anymore...today I was in school and I can concentrate more on my job....then till continue again next week...and luckily the FB got some problem accessible at my computer..so I can't 'melencong' .....it was save my day....

Met my sv back...

After met Dr Maria Kutar, I just drop by my sv's room and luckily she was there and I gave to her the souveniers from Malaysia and she really like it.Although it just small but it seems really significance to her..plus souvenier from Italy( during my ECKM's trip last month)..I'll meet her again on this coming 11th November for our next meeting.It means I have to finish up my trascribe of interview before meet her. Furthermore about my research methodology direction...hopefully she will accept what I trying to propose to her.Amin...

How to write thesis,,,,,,

talk by Prof Philip Scarf(my spouse's sv).....on 4th March....
-this is his style and based on his experience-he had produce huge of journal publications........no right or no wrong....whatever it is, always refer to your sv itself....

Standard approach
-describe the problem or idea; the contex
-tell the reader what has been achieved so far ad by whom and what bearing this has on your work
-relate everything to your work/idea/solution
-present your methodology,how you arrived at it,its use
-apply your methodology;discuss the results;what do your results say about your methodology(validity) and about problem context(applicability)
-develop your methodology to address more complex issues,Apply.discuss
-finally tell the reader what you achieved(advancement of knowledge) and further suggestion

Tell the story
-use narrative style
-write for reader not to yourself
-write for an academic reader,not just for your supervisor only
-tel it how it was
-describe historical context and methodological context of work
-use plain english
-do not patronize the reader-avoid certain words e.g 'obviously','straightforward'

Practical tips
-draft in the following order;results;methodology;conclusion;introduction,abstract....
LR is embedded for every stages.....
-use descritive headings
-foreshadow chapters
-use grammar checker from the start e.g English grammar Gowers(1973)
-use consistent definitions
-use track changes and make it as multiple versions...not replace the word/file documents
More
--plan your structure down to paragraph level
-give paragraphs topic sentences
-one idea per sentence
-adopt the style/format based on your research area/interdiciplianry
-interpret the guidleines
-use 3 section levels at most(1.0#1.1#1.1.1)
-make figure and table titles self explanatory
-avoid repetition and padding
And more
-use a running head
-use the harvard referencing system
-do not overcite
-use bracket convention e.g [{( )}]
-mathematical objects sholud be italic(he is applied mathematics people..that is why....)
-do not use colour
-11pt for figure and table titles
-abbreviations not encouraged

Finally
-get into the writing habit
-review your own writing

Further references
*Watson,G(1987) Writing a thesis: a guide to....
*Becker,H.S(1986) Writing for socila scientists:how to start and finish your thesis
*Anderson,J(2001) Assignment and thesis writing
*Gowers,E(1973) The complete plain words.Penguin
*Higham,N(1993) Handbook of writing for the mathematical sciences.SIAM

credit to my spouse because give me chances to attend this training since the time of training(2.00-4.00 p.m) normally not suitable to me( usually we will back on 2.30 p.m to fetch our daughters) for attend it..But since my spouse willing to fetch our daughters first, then pick me on 4.00 p.m ..I'm too appreciate it..Otherwise I would not able to attend to this training...

Research Paradigm exploration-Part III.; Alan Bryman and and Emma Bell's book help me ...

Finally this book makes me understand clearly about research paradigms..This book also cites the book that I should read based on sv's recommendation(Burrel and Morgan's,1979; Sociological Paradigms and ............ )

So I can understand at least what is 'competing paradigms'

So far this terms Bryman and Emma (2003) explain in more easy words....

-OBJECTIVIST ~~~~ external viewpoint - to view the organization- comprised consistently with processes and structures

-SUBJECTIVIST ~~~~ organization as socially constructed product-point view from individual of their social experience


-REGULATORY ~~~~ tends to purpose of business research - organization description-suggest minor changes- not make judgement for the organization

-RADICAL ~~~~ to make judgments - to make suggestions that could be achieved

FROM THAT 4 POSSIBLE PARADIGMS POSITIONS.................

-FUNCTIONALIST; dominant framework ; study the organizations - problem solving

-INTERPRETATIVE; questions either organization exist as social actors

-RADICAL HUMANIST;social arrangement= organization

-RADICAL STRUCTURALIST; organizations = structural power relationships - conflicts

So far I'm still in explorations...if can, I also will be have some discussion with my fellow friends.....sometimes lonely study tends to misunderstand too......

Case Study method

Sources : Research Methods in Business Studies
~ Pervez Ghauri,Kjell Gronhaug,Ivar Kristianslund,1995
Case Study method
Case studies are ‘particularly well-suited to new research areas or research area for which existing theory seems inadequate ; this type of work is highly complementary to incremental theory building from normal science research; the former is useful in early stages of research on a topic or when a fresh perspective is needed, while the latter is useful in later stages of knowledge'(Eisenhardt; 1989:548-9)

However if we refer to Yin(1989), we have to consider three situations to select the research methods where ;

~ the type of research questions
~ the control of the researcher over behavioural events
~ the focus on a current as opposed to historical phenomenon

Preparing for a case study
Once our research problem suggest case study as the preferred data collection method , we should deal with questions as;
~what are the skills needed to conduct case study?
~what types of a priori assumption de we have?
~how do we select the cases?
~how many cases shall we include in our study?
~how we shall we conduct the case study?

A priori propositions
For exploratory and inductive types of study~~~research questions e.g How; Why and Where
Fo descriptive or causal studies ~~~~theoretical base(theory building) and propositions

How to select the cases
It is important to decide the target population which will be used for investigation e.g firms,individuals,groups or elements that will be represented in the study
Then have accessibiltyto the population then either one or few cases

How to conduct a case study
Fully aware and should comprehend the research problem and purpose of the study ;
-Must be able to listen and interpret the answers
-To be more observant and good listener
-Can’t let the biases influences the interpretation

Different types of case study design
1- single case design, holistic
2- single case design,embedded
3- multiple case design,holistic
4- multiple case design,embedded

Source: Research Design in Social Research ~ David A.de Vaus,2001
C:13 > Case study design
-What is a case?
> unit of analysis-case-the object of study ;
individual,places,organizations,events,decision and time periods
> holistics(case as whole) and embedded units of analysis(cases that consists of various
levels or components)~ (Yin;1989)
-Case Study and Theories
> Explanatory - 3 ways ; theory testing, theory building case studies and clinical case
studies
> Descriptive ; description & theory , typologies & ideal types and inductive typologies
-Other elements of case studies design
> Single / Multiple
> Parallel / Sequential
> Restropective /Prospective
-Types of case studies designs;
elements:
> descriptive / explanatory
> theory testing / theory building
> single case / multiple case
> holistic / embedded units of analysis
> parallel / sequential of case studies
> restropective / prospective

C.14> Issues in case study design
-Methodological issues
> internal validity
> idiographic and nomothetic explanations
> wholes,not just parts
> history and motivation
> reactive effects
> external validity
> theoretical and statistical generalization
> replication
> strategic selection of cases
-practical issues
> method of case selection
> number of cases
> case screening
> cost and access ; no. of investigators, when to go in to the field , presenting case studies
- ethical issues
~ apply to all research design includes case studies

C.15> Case study analysis
- statistical analysis
- meaning and context
- analysis in descriptive case studies - theoretical dimension of descriptive analysis ;
> ideal type analysis
> typologies - cluster analysis approach
> time ordered descriptions
-explanatory case studies -theory testing analysis
> pattern matching -more complex pattern : multiple dependent
variables
> time series analysis ; trend analysis,chronolgical analysis and
literal & theoretical replication

Qualitative and Quantitative methods and techniques

Source : based on Jankowicz(1991;159) cited from Ghauri et al (1995)

can click at the middle of 'box' to read clearly.....

The difference in emphasis in qualitative versus quantitative methods

Source: based on Reichardt and Cook(1979); cited from Ghauri et al(1995)
can click at the middle of 'table' to read clearly.....

13th meeting

Salam again...next two days, 9th Jan ..I'll meet my beloved sv...actually after long time not meet her, I'm feel fear and not confidence again...although I did my work as what she ask to do it....I feel lots things that I've to discuss with her especially related to my real proposal PhD and also for my interim preparation....Actually I'm always on fence either my sv really like my topic or not...honestly since in beginning I've scratch everything on my own and sv just endorse or approve..totally different compare to my spouse...So far his progress quite good since he did everything what his sv ask to do so...I'm so proud with him too since in year 1 he already could have one journal paper together with his sv..hopefully I'll be like him soon...

SUBMISSION OF THESIS????????????

'The candidate should discuss the length of the thesis with the supervisor. The varying needs of academic subjects may demand different lengths of theses but candidates should remember that examiners greatly appreciate brevity achieved without sacrifice of clarity, quality or content.
Theses should not exceed these prescribed limits:
MSc 40,000 words;
MPhil 50,000 words;
PhD 100,000 words;
PhD by Published Works 100,000 words (15,000 word critical appraisal);
DProf 60,000 words.
Many quite satisfactory theses will be substantially shorter than these limits. In the following programmes, assessment may differ:
- PhD in Creative Writing, Media Arts and Performing Arts
- Doctor of Musical Arts
- Doctor of the Built Environment/Real Estate/ Construction Management

Candidates for these programmes should refer to the Research Award Regulations at http://policies.salford.ac.uk/display.php?id=343 for further information.

It is important for candidates to have a reasonable estimate of the likely length of the thesis at an early stage in its preparation.

MASYAALLAH...CURRENTLY I JUST START WRITE FOR THE PROPOSAL...to get 1000 words for one day also very hard...I can't imagine that I have to write up to at least 100,000 words at the end of my journey......you can or not ???can or not..you have to..no choice my dear..at least 80,000 words OK...

(tetiba jer terasa nak kira words thesis Dr Hartini Ahmad,one of staff UUM and also my neighbour in Tmn Tunku Sarina-where she graduated from Univ of Bradford in 2004..she also is my idol for doing phd...her thesis words also around 94,637 with 397 pages with 11 chapters..and she managed to finish within 2 and 1/2 years..how wonderful she is....)

my first online course with Dr Jocelyn Evans

6 March 2008( mostly 2 months ago)

This course Dr Joyce Evans had explained the full Postgraduate student lifecycle from the first stage Interim Assessment through to the pre-viva Internal Evaluation, as well as the ongoing monitoring of doctoral research through the Self-Evaluation Document and Annual Progress Report. He also explained the benefits and ethos of this framework, the responsibilities of both the student and supervisor, and the documents which need to be provided at each stage of the lifecycle

Mostly about 7 pages notes taking from this course...Precisely in University of Salford:

In YEAR 1: Must complete Learning Agreement within 3 months after registration, then end of Year 1, must submit Annual Progress Report and Self Evaluation Report
Within 15 to 18 months- can have an Interim Assessment
In YEAR 2: Continue your phd work and end of the second year again, must submit Annual Progress Report and Self Evaluation Report
Within 27 to 30 months-can ahve Internal Evaluation
In YEAR 3 : Continue your phd work and end of the third year, must submit Annual progress Report and Self Evaluation Report
Writing up , VIVA and preparation to defence the VIVA....


AS GUIDELINESfor all the postgraduates......hopefully I'll CAN do it within the time...INSYAALLAH...