I had a blast yesterday during research methodology class. We were discussing about sampling designs. Then at the end of the class after the reflective activity, one student innocently asked “Dr, if I answer my own questionnaire, can or not?” I looked at him in disbelief. We just discussed about random sampling and non random sampling. If you create your own questionnaire and you answer it yourself, what’s the point of doing quantitative research?
Some of students in the class also looked at him in disbelief. Then some of them started to argue among themselves if it is ethical to do so. I just looked at him for a few seconds before replying “Well, you have heard some of your friends are discussing about the ethical issue if you are doing that. My response is, what is the point of doing a quantitative research if you are the researcher cum respondent? It is against the philosophical paradigms of quantitative research that we have discussed before and it is unethical“.
Looking at me sheepishly he replied “I thought it is ok to do so because if my samples are teachers, since I am also a teacher, I can also answer my questionnaire“. I rest my case hearing such an honest confession. To end our class I gave them a little reminder “If I know that any of you do that when you conduct your research, you are doom”
On my way out from the class, one of the students decided to walk with me. We had a quick chat. She told me “Dr, I am interested to do an Action research. I am teaching MUET at Matriculation Centre. One more thing, I know Zahir. Zahir told me to take your class“.
At this moment, should I feel flattered or scared? I don’t want to think about that. One thing for sure, I got the usual symptom since yesterday. A symptom to indicate that I am feeling stressful. Am I becoming more sensitive as I become older?