20/6/2024 – Ok I have had Smart PLS 4 installed. Next is to call RISDA Sipitang and Beaufort and engage with PKK representatives (3 districts). Also to build the model already for data analysis in PLS.
19/6/2024 – Finally got things to move a tiny wee bit. I am planning to visit Kudat next week after much hassle and asking for help from others to coordinate and accommodate my movements going there. A few days beforehand, I was so stuck and caught in the difficulties. Then I remembered how I spent about 96 GBP for a trip to interview someone all the way from Wales towards north England, and that was only to fulfill one subject – not even a full course. I could do it again. And travelling all around Sabah should be the least of a problem for now. Just do it! So, it’s all action from now on. Next to do is to prepare printouts for 30 pax (if I got extra, I could use it for other districts later). Now Kudat almost sorted, I am moving on to Southwest Coast (Sipitang, Beaufort etc) and Ranau area. I notice that my main issue here is timing, as I am mostly feeling sane and OK after 3.30pm (after my tea break time). By this time, all the officers are packing up already. I will make a note to contact them earlier in the mornings around 8-12pm window.
30/4/2024 – It’s May tomorrow, my data collection progress has been superslow. As far, I only have about 20 respondents from my expected 250 figure. People really are less likely to do it if there is no urgency for them to do it. I am a bit demotivated with this whole thing as I feel that I might not be able to make it within set time for the program and may need to extend my studies until I have all the data altogether. Worst case, I will only collect about 130 responses. I dislike cold-calling people and in my head, people mostly would not bother if I just call. They all prefer that I come and meet them in person. It is so frustrating but I had to get it done as it is a really important issue to cover. I gotta use May as efficient as I can, I don’t have much time now.
My next milestones in May now are:
- Call each representative from East Coast to inform my interest (Sandakan, Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Kalabakan, Nabawan)
- Get information on how much time do I need to be at the East Coast to collect data
- Get information on costs and assistance possible to travel and for accommodations
- Push for information from West Coast
I mean if I have all the time, this would be so fun. However, I have other commitments and missing them might affect my income for June. And also, I might need to change my sampling technique. The things I need to read now are on TAM and TRI experiments towards current or novice user if there are proof of them in order to make my data valid.