methodology

all methodology part upload here. thanks.

**METHODOLOGY**

**2.1 BACKGROUND**

In our research, the respondents we are choosing is the second year undergraduate students from Department of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics and Faculty of Pharmacy, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus. All respondents of our research will be chosen randomly. This research will be carried out in the area of the National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus. There are few places that we will distribute the questionnaires. There are lecture hall, seminar room and other indoor places which are suitable for our respondents to fill in questionnaire form. 163 sets of questionnaires will be distributed to the undergraduate students of these three departments. Then we will collect and analyze the data from the questionnaire after the respondents have answered all the questions in the questionnaire.

 **2.2 RESEARCH DESIGN**

 In our research, we have chosen cross sectional studies which it is a class of research methods that is categorized under observational studies. The cross sectional study is a type of study in which data collected from two or more sample at one point in time to estimate the relationship between an outcome of interest and population variables as they exist at one particular time. We do not provide intervention on our subject where we only observe and analyze researchable objects.

**2.3 FACTOR ANALYSIS**

Confirmatory Factor Analysis is a special form of factor analysis other than Exploratory Factor Analysis. It is actually a multivariate statistical procedure that is utilized to test how well the measured variables represent the number of the constructs. This is also a useful tool to confirm or reject the measurement theory. According to our learning theories, there are three constructs (factors) and under each construct, there are a few variables that we would like to measure. So, in order to prove and find out the constructs as well as to see where the variables actually grouped and the interrelation between the variables, this factor analysis is applied. Before confirmatory is carried out, we distribute questionnaires to lecturers to determine which statements (learning styles) are positive and which are negative. We are taking down our lecturers’ perceptions on learning style as our scheme in preparing the questionnaires for sample. We apply the Saturated Model during our interview with lecturers. After that, factor analysis is carried out. The first step in the analysis was to use maximum likelihood analysis, with delta set at zero, to examine the rotated factor pattern of the items and inventory sub-scales. Cronbach alpha coefficients were calculated so as to indicate internal consistency. From these analyses, the scales were refined by removing the items which contributed least effectively to scale totals without adding anything to the definition of the scale.

**2.4 PILOT STUDY**

A pilot study is actually a preliminary study being done in a small scale form. The reason why this study is being carried out is to make sure the feasibility and effectiveness of our questionnaire as well as the design of our research before we proceed with our main research. Besides that, by conducting this pilot study, we can ask subjects for feedback to identify the ambiguities and difficult questions. Thus, this will be easier for us to identify and discard all unnecessary and ambiguous questions or even to reword or rescale any questions that are not answered as expected. These improvements and adjustments are crucial to avoid money and time being wasted when we carry out our main research.

In this study, 30 respondents who are not involved in our main research are asked to answer the questionnaires that are distributed to them. Respondents are not given any oral instructions or explanation except those instructions on the questionnaires. They are required to answer the questionnaire within a time limit. While answering this questionnaire, respondents are not allowed to discuss among themselves to avoid any bias that can affect this pilot study.

**2.5 SAMPLING METHOD**


 * 2.5.1 Target Population**

All undergraduates of Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Department of Biomedical Science and Faculty of Pharmacy, UKM session 2010/2011.


 * 2.5.2 Sample Populatios**

Second year undergraduates from Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Department of Biomedical Science and Faculty of Pharmacy, UKM session 2010/2011. All samples will be chosen randomly among them using the systematic random sampling.
 * 2.5.3 Sample Size**

Since our research only select certain population from second year undergraduates that are, undergraduates from Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Department of Biomedical Science and Faculty of Pharmacy, of National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus. Therefore, sample size for selected population can only be calculated by using Krejcie R V & Morgan D W. 1970 method. Simple random sampling method is also used.  __ Population __ Department of Biomedical Science = 77 people Department of Nutrition& Dietetics = 69 people Faculty of Pharmacy = 92 people
 * Sample Size Calculation**

Total population = 238 people According to Krejcie R V & Morgan D W. 1970, || Where, a =0.05= c ² 3.84 N = 238 P = 0.5 || n = __ c ____²__ __NP (1-P)__ Δ² (N-1) + c ²P (1-P) = __3.84 (238) 0.5 (1-0.5)__ 0.05² (238-1) +3.84 (0.5) (1-0.5) = 147  In case of occurrence of missing data, outliers and attrition, estimate 10% would drop out: n* = 147 / (1 – 0.1) = 163.33 Since the sample will be chosen equally from 3 courses, therefore our sample size, n is 162 people, which means 54 samples from each course.

**2.6 MATERIAL AND METHOD BEING USED **

In our research, we use questionnaires to collect the data. The questionnaires will be distributed to the second year undergraduates from Department of Biomedical Science, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics and Faculty of Pharmacy, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus. Subjects are required to choose the option for each statement given honestly. They will be reassured that all of their personal information and answers will be kept confidentially and solely used for the research purpose only.

The questionnaire is modified and referred from the Study Skills Inventory developed by Dennis H. Congos, formerly of Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, North Carolina.

There are 3 sections in the questionnaire. Section A collects demographic data of subjects. Among the demographic data collected are name and department/year. Section B contains 14 statements about behavior for particular learning styles. There are 6 learning styles which are textbook reading, note-taking, memory, test preparation, time management and concentration. Statements 2 and 9 are for textbook reading, statements 6 and 12 are for note-taking, statements 3 and 10 are for memory, statements 1, 5, 7 and 13 are for test preparation, statements 4 and 11 are for time management whereas statements 8 and 14 are for concentration. 5-point Likert-type scales are used to score the 14 statements. Statements 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10 are scored from 1 to 5 (1 = almost never, 2 = less than half of the time, 3 = about half of the time, 4 = more than half of the time, 5 = almost always) whereas statement 3, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 scored in the reverse direction (1 = almost always, 2 = more than half of the time, 3 = about half of the time, 4 = less than half of the time, 5 = almost never). Higher scores indicate more positive learning styles. Section C consists of 5 questions which designed to know the subject’s academic performance and its related factors. Questions no. 1 and no. 2 are designed to know the average studying duration of subject on weekday and weekend respectively. Questions no.3 and no. 4 are designed to know the average sleeping duration of subject on weekday and weekend respectively. Question no. 5 is designed to know the CGPA of the subjects.

** 2.8 ETHICAL ISSUES **

Subject participation in this research is completely voluntary and will be held confidential. We promise that subjects’ privacy and all the information given by the subjects are fully protected. Their personal details and answers will be confidentially kept and only for research-used. All of their personal details and answers will not be provided to third party without their agreement. Subjects may choose to withdraw from this research at any time of the research without consequence. Before the research is conducted, we need to get all of the respondents’ agreement before taking them as our subjects in our research. Therefore, an informed consent form is distributed to them before any research is conducted. In addition, we will provide a basic introduction and our general purpose of our study to the subjects. In the research, subjects were given as much time as they needed to fill out the survey, approximately ten to twenty minutes. At the same time, all subjects have to answer the questions in the questionnaire honestly so that each question can be analyzed properly. Subjects also need to give fully co-operation to the person that conducted research and they must be responsible to what they are answer.

** 2.9 Variables Definition **

** 2.9.1 Independent Variable ** 1. Individual factors - Peer group influence - Motivation - Duration of sleeping - Duration of studying

2. Demographic factors - Courses

3. Learning style - Textbook reading - Note taking - Memory - Text preparation - Planning and scheduling - Concentration management

** 2.9.2 Dependent Variable ** Academic performance (CGPA)

** 2.10 Inclusive and Exclusive Criteria **

** 2.10.1 Inclusive Criteria: ** All second year undergraduates from Department of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics (JPD) and Faculty of Pharmacy, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus session 2010/2011.