508
H. Rosli et al.
3 Research Methodology
Nowadays, university sustainability assessment schemes are also becoming more
popular as the higher education institutions are playing their important role in fostering sustainable development (Shi and Lai 2013). Higher education institutions
are the best platforms to provide education for producing leaders who can lead the
community towards sustainability. Even though there are many public and private
universities in Malaysia, not all of these universities are integrating sustainable development into their programmes.
The School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), offers a sustainability programme at the postgraduate level, particularly related to sustainability in
cities and their communities. This programme was offered to produce graduates who
can appreciate and apply the integration of art-science (fusion) scientific knowledge
to address issues of management and governance of cities and sustainable communities in the context of sustainable development and management (Universiti Sains
Malaysia 2012). The course also focuses on the intricate relationship between human
and physical processes that shape the ecology and urban environment. This programme explores the social and ecological processes in a city that has a complexity,
a conflict and a diversity of its own (Universiti Sains Malaysia 2012). The programme
structure is flexible to allow students the opportunities of enhancing certain field of
studies by doing research topics based on their interest, ability and educational experience. This programme is offered full time/part time basis (Universiti Sains Malaysia
2012).
Qualitative methodology is an approach that is appropriate for examining and
reflecting the understanding the perception of social and human activities (UK
Essays 2015). Creswell (2009) mentioned that qualitative methodology is a method
of exploring and understanding the meaning conveyed by individuals or groups of
individuals. Therefore, it is suitable to be used in analysing the perceptions (Creswell
2009).
Sharma and Kelly (2012) investigated students’ perceptions of education for sustainable development in the accounting and business curriculum. The research was
conducted at a business school in New Zealand. They found that the majority of the
students perceived ESD as a “good thing.” Most of the students strongly support the
integration of sustainability in the business courses that they are studying. In addition,
the research found that the students benefitted from the integration of sustainability
into their courses as they can practise the sustainable business (Sharma and Kelly
2012).
A research conducted in Alabama and Hawaii to differentiate between college
students’ awareness and responsibility regarding sustainability. The study found that
“commitment gap” rather than “knowledge gap” was more common among them
(Emanual and Adams 2011). Apparently, all respondents care about sustainability
was that they concern about wasteful consumption and pollution.
Meanwhile, at the University of Plymouth, a research was conducted through an
online questionnaire survey, to obtain students’ perceptions on, and their understand-
H. Rosli et al.
3 Research Methodology
Nowadays, university sustainability assessment schemes are also becoming more
popular as the higher education institutions are playing their important role in fostering sustainable development (Shi and Lai 2013). Higher education institutions
are the best platforms to provide education for producing leaders who can lead the
community towards sustainability. Even though there are many public and private
universities in Malaysia, not all of these universities are integrating sustainable development into their programmes.
The School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), offers a sustainability programme at the postgraduate level, particularly related to sustainability in
cities and their communities. This programme was offered to produce graduates who
can appreciate and apply the integration of art-science (fusion) scientific knowledge
to address issues of management and governance of cities and sustainable communities in the context of sustainable development and management (Universiti Sains
Malaysia 2012). The course also focuses on the intricate relationship between human
and physical processes that shape the ecology and urban environment. This programme explores the social and ecological processes in a city that has a complexity,
a conflict and a diversity of its own (Universiti Sains Malaysia 2012). The programme
structure is flexible to allow students the opportunities of enhancing certain field of
studies by doing research topics based on their interest, ability and educational experience. This programme is offered full time/part time basis (Universiti Sains Malaysia
2012).
Qualitative methodology is an approach that is appropriate for examining and
reflecting the understanding the perception of social and human activities (UK
Essays 2015). Creswell (2009) mentioned that qualitative methodology is a method
of exploring and understanding the meaning conveyed by individuals or groups of
individuals. Therefore, it is suitable to be used in analysing the perceptions (Creswell
2009).
Sharma and Kelly (2012) investigated students’ perceptions of education for sustainable development in the accounting and business curriculum. The research was
conducted at a business school in New Zealand. They found that the majority of the
students perceived ESD as a “good thing.” Most of the students strongly support the
integration of sustainability in the business courses that they are studying. In addition,
the research found that the students benefitted from the integration of sustainability
into their courses as they can practise the sustainable business (Sharma and Kelly
2012).
A research conducted in Alabama and Hawaii to differentiate between college
students’ awareness and responsibility regarding sustainability. The study found that
“commitment gap” rather than “knowledge gap” was more common among them
(Emanual and Adams 2011). Apparently, all respondents care about sustainability
was that they concern about wasteful consumption and pollution.
Meanwhile, at the University of Plymouth, a research was conducted through an
online questionnaire survey, to obtain students’ perceptions on, and their understand-