Dr. Amal Hanna, PhD
Managing Editor
International Journal of Research in Open Educational Resources
Amal.Hanna@ResearchOERJournal.net
Abstract
Background & Aims: There are many studies that have explore “quantitatively” reasons for volunteerism to real-world organisations (RWO), open source software (OSS), open content webpages (OCW), and open educational resources (OER). However, these studies depend mainly on macro-level questionnaires that cannot go beyond the “superficial” statistical reasoning. Therefore, there is a need to explore further the causality of different factors, including culture, individual’s traits, and their context upon OER read-writers motivation at the individual/ micro-level. Such understanding helps advancing the design of open content learning activities (OCLA) to accommodate individual and cultural differences.
Methodology & Methods: To explore motivation and factors impacting it at the micro-level, online interviews were conducted. These interviews were text-based, and by using Instant Messaging (IM) software called Trillian, which is capable to integrate different IM providers. Interviews were coded and quantified to explore the differences (and similarities) between Arabic collectivists (NAr=9) and English individualist (NEn=11). Interviews aimed to draw Wikibooks read-writers about their views on how to enhance participation and deal with technical issues.
Results & Findings: Evaluation reveals a clear differences between Arabic and English interviewees: which English interviewees are motivated by rational values, Arabic interviewees are motivated by traditional values. Beyond many implications discussed in this paper, how OCLA can be designed around enhancement and problem-solving is a question that needs an answer in the future research.
Keywords: Cultural differences, Arabic culture, English culture, individualist, collectivist, open educational resources (OER), open content learning activities (OCLA), text-based online interview, Wikibooks, and wikis.
Cite as: Hanna, A. 2014, ‘Qualitative Evaluation of Similarities and Differences between East Collectivists and West Individualists in Open Content Learning Activities (OCLA)’, International Journal of Research in Open Educational Resources, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 37-63, http://www.researchoerjournal.net/publications/2014/vol_01/no_01/ResearchOER_1(1)_37-63.pdf.