Journal of Research Methodology

Methodological Notes on Classroom (Action) Research: Rethinking the Role of Inferential Statistics and Individual Learning Evidence

2025-06-24T22:18:03+07:00

This article offers methodological reflections based on the author’s experience reviewing classroom action research and educational theses. It points out common issues such as misuse of statistical tests, failure to question underlying research assumptions, and the neglect of individual-level data. The author proposes alternative approaches including the use of normalized gain scores, individual line graph analysis, and qualitative data collection and interpretation. These methods aim to capture meaningful change beyond simply reporting p-values. The article invites teachers, graduate students, researchers, and other stakeholders to reconsider prevailing research practices and adopt more appropriate, context-sensitive methods.

Front Matter

2025-06-24T22:31:32+07:00

Effects of Participation in Online Quizzes and Pre-Examination Engagement on Academic Performance in Demography: A Study of University Students in a Non-Mandatory Attendance Setting

2024-11-15T16:18:49+07:00

This study examines the effects of online quizzes and pre-examination engagement on academic performance in demography among university students in a non-mandatory attendance setting. The sample consisted of 43 enrolled students who took the final examination, divided into an experimental group of 22 students who participated in quizzes and/or pre-examination activities and a control group of 21 non-participating students. Data were gathered through 10 quizzes, a pre-examination test, a satisfaction questionnaire, and the final examination. Results showed that students who participated in both activities achieved the highest academic performance (M = 82.20, SD = 9.60), followed by those who participated only in quizzes (M = 78.75, SD = 12.86). Activity participation was the most significant factor affecting academic achievement (β = .871). Students reported the highest level of satisfaction in all aspects, particularly in learning development assessment. These findings suggest that formative assessment through online quizzes and pre-examination activities effectively improves academic achievement among students in non-mandatory attendance settings.

Archival Research and Combined Insights between Historical Institutionalism & Institutional Works as Methodological Lense: Example of Reconstructing Thailand’s Energy Transition (2002–2012)

2025-05-07T08:01:29+07:00

Since social issues can be explored through various methodological lenses, each provides different insights into their evolution and persistence. Unconventionally, this article employs archival research — known for its robustness in tracing change and development over time — alongside theoretical perspectives from lock-in mechanisms and path disruption to explore Thailand’s energy transitions. By capitalizing on the synergy between theoretical insights and systematic procedures, this study puts forward a methodologically grounded account of institutional theory for unveiling the complex and enduring processes of energy transitions. In doing so, it approaches the question of how actors in Thailand’s energy sector have interacted over time in advancing renewable energy initiatives. As a series of events unfolded and data were coded from descriptive to pattern levels, three findings were derived from a reconstruction of historical narrative. However, these are intended to illustrate a methodological contribution, rather than to offer context-independent conclusions. First, while collaborative efforts among proponents were forged to disrupt institutional carbon lock-in, internal competition also emerged as actors sought to lead and benefit from the transition. This inevitably resulted in recurring tensions, compounded by misalignment between broader socio-economic policies and renewable energy initiatives. Second, political rhetoric and external pressure played crucial roles in negotiating those tensions and sustaining momentum. Third, a continuous [re-]configuration of the key involved parties was found to be indispensable for maintaining progress. This dynamism would likely to be overlooked if a transition were explored solely through a positivist paradigm. The paper encourages scholars to craft or re-design their methodologies in alignment with the evolving nature of social issues and theoretical perspectives.

Thai Text Clustering with K-Means and TF-IDF in Python for Educational Applications

2025-06-10T16:04:54+07:00

Qualitative text data—such as student feedback, interview transcripts, and online content—are increasingly available from web-based sources and institutional repositories. However, their unstructured nature makes large-scale analysis difficult. Text clustering helps organize such data by grouping documents with similar content. This tutorial presents a step-by-step workflow for clustering Thai-language texts using TF-IDF and the K-means algorithm in Python. It covers preprocessing, vectorization, clustering, and evaluation, with code examples based on Thai-language documents. The tutorial concludes with examples of educational applications, including analyzing open-ended survey responses, exploring curriculum topics, and identifying emerging themes in academic writing.