Student’s Perception on Usage of Online Social Network and Difficulties in Learning Social Science Research

This paper aims to investigate the students' perception on medium of communication and delivery of information used in teaching and learning, and to investigate the level of difficulty based on social science research syllabus. Based on quantitative research design, we conducted a survey study to ten postgraduate students (purposive sampling) and applied interviews to support quantitative data collected. All participants have enrolled in research methodology course for one semester. The sharing of information and communication through online platform? can occur using several mediums such as e-Learning, Facebook, WhatApps, E-mail, Mobile Apps, YouTube and Blog. Findings showed that the most difficult topic in quantitative research syllabus are “Data Analysis and Interpretation”, “Research Designs 1: Ethnographic, Historical, Developmental”, “Research Designs 2: Narrative & Action Research” as the most difficult topics in qualitative research syllabus. Meanwhile, students have selected “Data Analysis” as the most difficult topic in mixed-method research. This study suggests exploring five aspects of student's interactions for future research in development of mobile learning environment among social science postgraduate students.

I. Introduction

In Malaysia, the higher education learning process has shifted from teacher-centered approach to a student-centered learning which is in line with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) [1]. Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) consists of six main attributes that are balanced by both aspects, namely Ilmu (including knowledge and skills) and Akhlak (including ethics and morality) at two level of education systems which are preschool to post-secondary system and higher education system. The MEB (HE) emphasizes six main attributes: 1) ethics and spirituality, 2) leadership skills, 3) national identity, 4) language proficiency, 5) thinking skills, and 6) knowledge.