learning - Academic Conferences Limited

2.5 Data collection
Rosario Kane-Iturrioz
2.5.1 Survey of students’ perceptions
With the approval of the University Ethics Committee, two data gathering instruments (surveys and
semi-structured interviews) were used in the study. The semi-structured interviews were conducted in
2008-09 with funding received from the Centre for Inter-Professional e-Learning (CIPel).
The initial questionnaire included background information; native language and level of knowledge of
other languages; learning preferences and use of technology and, familiarity with online learning. The
end of module survey was intended to ascertain students’ perceptions of the module’s blended
learning environment and contained 20-26 close-ended questions. Additional questions were inserted
every year in order to accommodate students’ feedback regarding the changes made in response to
the previous year’s comments. To facilitate statistical analysis most of the questions were in a 5-point
Likert scale. Additionally, several open-ended questions attempted to elicit more detailed students’
feedback.
For the purpose of this study, questions relating to the students background information, language,
computer literacy and prior online learning experience were analysed. The data from the survey’s
closed-questions underwent a separate analysis from that involving the open-questions and the
interviews transcripts. The results were cross tabulated and analyzed for statistical differences (p