Modelos pedagógicos modernos y la pedagogía conceptual

4.1.1 Qualitative Research

Quantitative methods are “procedures and techniques used to analyze data numerically” (Antonius, 2003, p.2) and “explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analyzed using mathematically based methods” (Muijs, 2004, p.1). In other words, they involve numerically measuring the degree to which some feature is present.

Qualitative methods can also be described as “procedures for counting to one” (Sherman, E. & Reid, W. J., 1994, p.496), which identify the presence or absence of something. Accordingly, quantitative research inquires into an identified problem based on testing a theory, measured and analyzed using statistical techniques, while qualitative research produces descriptive data based on spoken or written words, pictures, paragraphs and observable behavior.

Qualitative research methods involve narrative, content, discourse, archival, and phonemic analysis, even statistics (Denzin &Lincoln, 1994). Typically, it includes interviews, observations, case studies, surveys, and historical and document analyses (Savenye & Robinson, 2004). At the beginning of any study, appropriate research strategies should be chosen ranging from ethnography, case study, interview, participant observation, naturalistic study, phenomenological study, descriptive study, interpretive research, action research, narrative research and so on (Janesick, 1994).

� Gain some insight into a particular subject quickly;

� Gain first-hand information into the respondents’ behaviors, attitudes, language, and feelings;

� Apply to a highly complex subject matter and particularly knowledgeable respondents or interviewees;

� Provide the opportunity for group interaction;

� Allow new and valuable thoughts to emerge; ... ...

� ... ...

This research will study Chinese for-profit institutions as to develop a better and deeper understanding of ongoing trend of for-profit sector in China. It needs to produce descriptive data based on spoken or written words, pictures, paragraphs and observable behavior, as the before-mentioned trend as well as the sector has been understudied. And hence, this study will be qualitative in nature.

4.1.2 Application of Case Study Strategy

Case study is a way of organizing social data to preserve the unitary character of the social object being studied. The principal difference between case studies and other research studies is that the focus of attention is the case (Stake, 1988), everything on the case, whereas other methods focus something on the case, to say the most, if there is a case. For instance, observation involves factors like timing, location, unpredictable interactions of people on site and uncharted dynamics between objects that are being observed, even though we can always refer it as an observation on a case. Stake (1995) then further spoke of three classifications of case studies:

• Intrinsic: study is undertaken because one wants better understanding of this particular case;

• Instrumental: study is to accomplish something other than to understand this particular one and

• Collective: when a group of cases is studied.

In addition, the Use of the case study strategy requires three conditions, according to Yin (1994):

(a) The research questions focused on “how” or “why”;

(b) The researcher has little or no control over actual behavioral events; and (c) The focus more frequently on contemporary as opposed to historical phenomena.

This study meets the criteria of utilizing case study strategy. The phenomenon that for-profit educational institutions increase sharply in number in the mid- and late 1990s, gave rise to study interest on "how" and "why". This increase attracted attention long before the researcher began this study, making the investigation independent of the outcomes. In addition, for-profit schools have won a considerable portion of the education market only since the last two decades. It’s by all means a contemporary phenomenon and in real-life context.

The case is instrumental in that it would not only help to shape the for-profit education in China, facilitate better comprehension of the operation and the economic returns of for-profits in China, but also examine the cooperation prospects between China and Germany in order to address needs of both parties. In other words, this research endeavors to provide some instruments by revealing some details that may not be clear to most of the observers. At the same time, collective case study strategy will also be applied, as there would be a group of cases involved for the purpose of the comprehension on the scope and size of the for-profit education in China,

4.1.3 Triangulation

There are six data sources for the case study design: documentation, archival records, interviews, direct observation, participant observation, and physical artifacts (Yin, 1994). And multiple and appropriate sources are complementary. This study will use the most applicable and practical ones:

� Documents – The researcher will collect presentations, agendas, and study reports on the selected case.

� Archival Records – The researcher will collect survey data, personal records and observations from those associated with the case, charts, databases, etc.

� Direct Observation –Jenesick (1994) stated, staying close to the data is the most powerful means of telling the story. The researcher will visit sites of the case subject including their campus, corporation building, administrative offices, classrooms and labs, in order to get the real picture and record the perceptions in a forthright manner.

� Interviews –standardized interviews with administrators will be conducted.

The qualitative nature of the study also provides an opportunity for data triangulation for validating trustworthiness. Hence, multiple data collection methods are used to allow triangulation, i.e. the strategy of interview (for new and valuable thoughts to emerge), observation (for adding direct experience and fresh perspective), archival Records and documents analysis (for retrieving the cases' institution model and business practice). The method of interview will be designed and applied first, providing a richer picture of the participants' own perspectives, which will then be compared with the other types of data, for seeking themes or emphasizes.