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Article Review - E-Mentoring
Article Review - E-Mentoring
Article Review - E-Mentoring
The purpose of the study is to examine e-mentoring as a way to sustain distance training
and education. The study explores the role of mentors, the benefits of the programs to the
mentor and the sponsoring organizations, and ways of overcoming challenges faced by e-
mentoring in distance training and education. Distance training and education take place
as the numbers of individual who are keen to continue to advance their careers has
increased rapidly. Furthermore, many organizations have moved their training programs
out of the classroom and into computer-based offline and online formats for distance
economical. However, distance learning comes with its own problems especially in term
distance training and education. From the study, the researchers had concluded that good
mentors, experts in subject matter as well as support from the management are the keys
Based on the article, the researchers do not define clearly which research design and
research methodology had been adopted. From my point of view, this qualitative study
combines a synthesis of previous research with a review of literature. Generally, this kind
of study emphasizes detail with regard of the contemporary real-life situations and
provides the basis for the application of ideas and extension of methods. If the study
adopted case study research method, then the researchers should be able to determine and
define research questions and moreover select the cases and determine data gathering and
analysis techniques. But, from the articles, the researchers do not clearly state about
selected sample as well as the way how they gather data and how they analyzed them. A
study that based on a small number of cases can offer no grounds for establishing
number of cases, then the framework described in the study might be practical to a
particular situation only. Referring only to the previous cases or researches sometimes
does not give a general view about something. It is only others’ feeling or a perception
which is might be right and applicable at that time. For instant, previous study says that
online coaching program (e-mentoring) can benefit any employee, especially successful
for female protégé (Dartmouth University, 1999; Perren, 2003; Rossett, 2002a, 2002b,
2002c). Is this because of female nature or other aspects? Further research should be
carried out to find out why e-mentoring tend to be successful for female. Besides
adopting qualitative research design, this study can also be carried out through
quantitative research design. A survey research method can be one of the methods to
choose from. The researchers may use either questionnaire or interview as a tool or even
combination of both in gathering data. Through this method, perhaps the finding is more
precise as all aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.
5.0 Conclusion
Defining research design and methodology is vital. Research design and methodology
help researchers to arrange their research in such a well-organized plan and help
researchers support their findings with strong and good evidences. A clear and concise
statement of our research design and methodology are absolutely essential for doing good
quality research.