Limitation and Delimitation

This research contains several limitations and delimitations. Four of the limitations
are related toresearch design, data collection method, sampling method and theoretical
framework while three of the delimitations are related to critical issue, research topic, data
collection instruments and setting.
The first limitation of this research related to the research design. The research design
is qualitative and namely case study. Case study design unable to render judgment on the
frequency of particular cases. This means case study could not be used for inferential
processes (Gerring, 2006). This means the results obtained from case study cannot be
generalized using statistical generalization. This limitation can be handled by making other
generalization such as naturalistic generalization from a case to another identical case.
The second limitation of this research related to the data collection method. The data
collection method of this research is clinical interview. The researcher must have prior
knowledge on conducting a clinical interview as it is not the routine job for the teacher.
Conducting a clinical interview is more complicated than conducting a structured and semi
structured interview. This limitation may lead to data that are less credibility. This limitation
can be handled by conducting more rounds of practicing interview prior to the real interview.
Moreover, this data collection method has limitations in terms of discomfort and biasness on
the respondent of the study.This is because the questions asked in the interview are based on
student responses and their thinking styles. In order to reduce this limitation, the researcher
should set the questions which are closely structured by standard protocol so that the
respondents could provide their ideas.
The third limitation of this research related to the sampling method.A non-probability
sampling, purposive sampling was used as sampling method. The sample of the study was not

randomly selected from a population thus the sample was not representative of the
population. Results obtained from the study could not be generalized to the population.The
nature purposive sampling method contains certain degrees of biasness.To reduce this
limitation, the researcher should make naturalistic generalization.
The fourth limitation related to the theoretical framework used in this research. Since
radical constructivism is a theory about a knowing process thus pupils must actively acquire
the knowledge through their own experience.The domain of radical constructivism is
materialism physical. To reduce this limitation, researcher should focus on the domain of
materialism physical throughout the process of carrying out the study rather than go beyond
the domain of radical constructivism.
The first delimitation of this study related to critical issue, namely lack of
understanding in coordinate geometry. Other important critical issues in learning of
coordinate geometry such as difficulties to relate prior learnings when learn about coordinate
geometry, inefficiency of information communication technology usage in teaching and
learning of coordinate geometry and discouragement among pupils. This study focused on
building pupils understanding in coordinate geometry because understanding is the root for a
better performance and achievement in this topic. This delimitation was handled by providing
enough researches which support this critical issue. More studies can prove that this is the
critical issue that need to be investigated.
The second delimitation related to the research topic selected for this study which is
coordinate geometry. There are other important topics in year five mathematics curriculum
such as not selected in this study such as areas, angles, ratio and statistics.Coordinate
geometry is considered as a new learning area in geometry which pupils only started to learn
from year four. Therefore this topic required more attention in order to increase pupils

understanding. In order to handle this delimitation, the researcher had explained the
justification and rationale for selecting this topic clearly. Problems faced by the pupils in this
topic explained in details to show that this topic need to be studied as it is a new learning
field for primary school pupils.
The third delimitation related to data collection instruments, namely clinical interview.
Structured and semi structured interview were not selected as data collection tools for this
study. Clinical interview permits pupils to display their thoughts based on their everyday
experiences. It also accurately assess pupils who have low verbal ability and expressiveness.
Data gathered from clinical interview are highly objective and generalizable. This
delimitation was controlled by stating the research design and type of data needed for this
study. Research design and the type of data needed for the study can justify the selection of
data collection tool because it depend on these two aspects.
The fourth delimitation related to setting. Year five pupils from Bangsar district were
selected as the sample for this study. There are other pupils in primary school such as year
three, year four and year six. This study focused on year five pupils because they need to
prepare

themselves

for

public

examination

which

was

UjianPenilaianSekolahRendrah(UPSR). Additionally, they had learnt upper primary

mathematics for two years and thus they had sophisticated mathematical knowledge
compared to year four pupils. With the intention of reducing the delimitation, the researcher
clearly explained certain qualificationsof the sample of this study. The researcher excluded
other pupils in primary school since they did not meet the qualification related to the research
topic.