Although my current study mainly uses a questionnaire and follows a quantitative approach, if I had to choose a qualitative design for this topic, I think a case study ...
Although my current study mainly uses a questionnaire and follows a quantitative approach, if I had to choose a qualitative design for this topic, I think a case study would fit best. My research focuses on the impact of inbound short-term international exchange activities on HUFLIT students’ perceived English speaking fluency. A case study would be suitable because it could examine this topic in one specific context, which is HUFLIT and its inbound exchange activities.
One strength of a case study is that it allows the researcher to look closely at a real educational setting. It could help explain how these activities are organized, how students interact with international visitors, and how they feel about their English speaking development. This design could also connect students’ experiences with the actual context of the program. However, one challenge is that the findings may not be easily generalized to other universities or different exchange settings. Another difficulty is that collecting detailed qualitative data usually takes more time and effort.
If I applied this design, I would focus on one small group of HUFLIT students who joined inbound exchange activities. I could collect data through interviews, short observations, and students’ reflections about their speaking experiences. For example, I might explore whether students feel more fluent after repeated interactions with international students and what kinds of activities help them most. Even though I am not using a qualitative design in my current project, I think a case study would be the most suitable qualitative option for this topic.
