A thesis in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master in

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD

0. Introduction

The use of ICT in EFL learning in Libya is a comparatively new method of teaching English in the Arab world. Chapter 2 stresses on the importance of using ICT in education especially in the teaching of EFL. However, the use of ICT in education in the Arab countries faces some obstacles in the initial implementation stage. The lack of available studies pertaining to the use of ICT in teaching EFL in the Arab world is certainly a drawback but it is also a challenge which this study sought to answer. This study sets out to explore the obstacles and the strengths available in the use of ICT in teaching EFL in Arab countries in general, and Libya in particular. Hence, the study sets out to answer the following questions:

1. 
   Have the teachers attended any courses on the use of computer technology (ICT) in teaching?
   
2. 
   Do the teachers have enough access to the computers at their schools?
   

3. 
   Do the teachers believe in that the use of ICT can enhance the teaching of EFL in Libya?
   
4. 
   What are the challenges teachers faced in using the ICT in teaching EFL in Libya?
   

This chapter explains the methods used in conducting the study. These include the research design employed, the sampling techniques and descriptions
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of the instrument. This is followed by a description of the method of data collection and procedures employed in the collection and analysis of the data.

0. Research Design

This study is primarily quantitative in nature and uses a descriptive research design. As this study is also exploratory in nature, a descriptive survey methodology is employed to gather information about the use of computer technology (ICT) in the teaching of the English language. According to Dane (1990:120), a survey research is „a general label applied to a variety of different research methods that share a common purpose‟ and it involves „obtaining information directly from a group of individuals‟. Gay et. al (2006) “Survey research can be used to gather information about a group‟s beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and demographic composition”. He also states that survey data are collected by asking members of a population a set of questions, which can be administrated in a questionnaire that is mailed or e-mailed or in an interview over the phone or in person. Also Gay et.al (2006) adds that in a survey research, the
„researcher approaches a sample of individuals presumed to have undergone certain experiences and interviews them concerning their experiences. Usually it involves the use of personal interviews, telephone survey or even a questionnaire.
A survey is used because of its practicality and efficiency in achieving accuracy, uniformity and standardization of communication between the researchers and a large number of respondents, lower cost, greater anonymity and accessibility (Gay et. al.2006). Slavin (1992) notes that a survey research has the
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advantages of a wide scope and a great deal of information can be obtained from a large group. Gay et.al (2006) states that a survey is considered the most common method utilized for descriptive research. Also, Slavin (1992) notes that a survey method is appropriate when dealing with opinion study.
For this study, a set of the questionnaire was emailed to each of the research assistants. Here, the email was used to ensure a speedy delivery of the questionnaire. Then the research assistants made copies of the questionnaire to be distributed to all of the target respondents.

0.