Abstract-The objective of this article is to study results of using the electronic mind map for the teaching and learning in educational research methodology course of Master's degree students in the Faculty of Education, Ramkhamhaeng University, Thailand by using quantitative and qualitative study. Study samples include one class of master degree students. Research tools are comprised of an attitude assessment -pre-study and post-study -form, a questionnaire, and an interview form. Analysis of quantitative data was performed by using fundamental statistics, the t -test (dependent) and the t -test (independent) while qualitative data was analyzed by using the content analysis technique.Results of quantitative study showed that the Free Mind program is the software mostly used by students to create mind map. After the electronic mind map was used, it was found that the students' post-study attitudes towards the research study subject are higher than their pre-study attitudes, at 0.05 level of statistical significance. In addition, the students considered that application of mind map is useful at the highest level. Meanwhile, results of qualitative study indicated that students had perceived usefulness of applying mind map into the research learning session. However, the teachers' own teaching and knowledge transfer techniques are still considered as an important part that improves students' knowledge and creates students' positive attitudes towards research.Index Terms-Electronic mind map, research methodology course, quantitative and qualitative study.
I. INTRODUCTIONResearch is considered as an important subject for postgraduate students as they have to apply knowledge learned from this subject for using in their own research in postgraduate studies. Besides, such knowledge shall also be applied in their researches after graduation. The Faculty of Education, Ramkhamhaeng University, has perceived significance of research methodology studies so that it requires master degree students in all fields of studies to register research study as a fundamental subject in their course [1].Although considered as an important subject for students, most of students have, however, rather negative attitude towards the research study as they perceive that this is a difficult subject, which is very comprehensive and difficult to understand. The researcher, as an instructor of the research methodology subject, has applied the electronic mind map Manuscript received May 6, 2014; revised July 8, 2014. T. Tungprapa is with the Department of Evaluation and Research, Faculty of Education, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand (e-mail: tavi.ouy@gmail.com).for the teaching and learning session of educational research methodology course for graduate students of the Faculty of Education, Ramkhamhaeng University, in order to solve the aforementioned attitudinal problems because it is perceived that mind mapping is a creativity-and productivity-enhancing technique that can improve the learning and efficiency of individuals and organiza...