Racial Profiling

Denis Zemtsov, Estella Malek, Nabeel

Siddiki
SEGI UNIVERSITY

Research Proposal

RACIAL PROFILING

Table of Content
INTRODUCTION

1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT

1.2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

1.5 STUDY LIMITATION

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 RACIAL DISCRIMINATION/ RACIAL PROFILING AT THE WORKPLACE

2.2RACIAL DISCRIMINATION/ PROFILING AND GENDER

1.0

2.3 RACIAL DISCRIMINATION/ PROFILING IN EDUCATION

10

2.4 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION THEORY

11

3.0 INTRODUCTION.

12

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

12

3.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

12

3.3 DATA COLLECTION METHOD

13

3.4 ANALYSIS METHOD

16

3.5 POPULATION AND SAMPLING

17

3.6 RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

18

3.7 PILOTING AND PRE-TESTING

19

3.8 VALIDATION & RELIABILITY OF INSTRUMENTS

19

3.9 DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES

20

3.10 DATA ANALYSIS AND STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE

20

3.8 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

21

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3.9 SUMMARY

22

REFERENCES

23

1.0

Introduction

Racial profiling is the act of suspecting or focusing on an individual with a specific race taking into
account a stereotype about their race. Racial Profiling can occur in public areas, workplace and
educational, setting to a few.
Racial discrimination in education occurs when institutions accept only a certain ethic or that the
minority students enrolled need to meet a certain standard, which results in a type of racial profiling
that places minority students at a disadvantage throughout their school year (Logsdon, 2011).
Students receive different benefits on basis of their race such as Bumiputera got more benefits in
stheir study process than Non-Bumiputeras (Ramasamy, 2004).
More bumiputera students are awarded government grants for abroad studies compared and the nonbumiputera understudies (Joseph 2006, Lee 2012).
Racial or ethnic discrimination in the working environment can raise itself in different ways, some
of which can be clear or self-evident. Be that as it may, racial separation can regularly be
unpretentious and harder to recognize, for example, a business' inability to contract or advance a
person by virtue of their race. Whichever structure it takes, nonetheless, racial segregation in the
working environment is entirely disallowed by various government and state laws.
Racial profiling in law enforcement is not just wrong, but rather likewise inadequate. Race-based
presumptions in law enforcement propagate negative racial generalizations that are destructive to
our rich and diverse democracy, and substantially weaken our endeavors to keep up an honest and
just society.
There are two economic models of discrimination explains as to why an employer might treat
employees differently because of their race. One model, named the Taste of Discrimination, which
states than an employer might dislike members of a minority group and does not want to associate
with them. In other words, the taste is of antipathy towards a racial minority group on the basis of
some relevant economic factor, the employer might implement reduced wages on said employee
compared to his/her colleagues.
The other model deemed the Statistical Discrimination, which can occur even if there isnt any
discrimination taste for said employee. A rational employer will still discriminate, even if there is no
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relevant factor of discrimination is present. Two employees could be of equal qualifications except
for race would be reason enough for an employer to offer different wages even if it isnt rational to
do so.
Statistical discrimination is a theory of imbalance between demographic gatherings in view of
generalizations that do not emerge from prejudice or racial and gender bias.
This phenomenal has become a major endemic in the both the working world and the education.
This papers seeks to understand the major reasons fueling this trend and what criterion Bumiputera
nad Non-Bumiputeras are following in this study, since they were chosen by quota sampling.

1.1 Problem statement

The issue presented is the use of racial profiling within the education sector where a number of
studies regarding the topic have been conducted to showcase that racial profiling is experienced by
students as well. Malaysia is known to be a multiracial, multi-cultured society consisting of three
major races and boasts a positive and stable image towards the world (Singh, 2013), also following a
peaceful, accepting of these other ethnicities based upon its education sector (Al-Anbouri, 2009).
Yet Malaysia has its fair share of problems since its independence such as giving special privileges
to Bumiputeras but only preserving non-Bumiputeras cultures and languages which can be seen
from an educational standpoint amongst the different schools.
Racial-profiling has been a common issue faced amongst many communities, discrimination is
present in many forms and sectors such as gender which may lead to sexual harassment, religion,
race, minority groups, and other areas as well, these issues stated could be result of many different
conflicts such Shamsul (2006) states that an identity contestation was at play amongst the
Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras.
However, this study will solely focus on the afflictions of being a local minority within the
education sector which states that ethnic diversity can affect a students developmental and
educational outcome (Gurin et. al, 2002), to examine to what percentage of ethnic tensions have
local minorities experience and how prevalent is this issue amongst students.
After the racial riots in 1969, Malaysia soon developed the ethnic quota system for localities to
ensure admission within public universities as a means to promote social mobility and equal ethnic
dispensation among the Malaysian population (Ramasamy 2004).
Although, followed to some extent, the ethnic quota system, which derived from the New Economic
Policy Affirtmative Action programme which safeguards Bumiputeras in different sectors of
Malaysia such as education, business, government. but it was highly disregarded as it said it would
lead a ratio of 55:45 in favor of Bumiputeras but there were always a higher percentage than the
perceived ratio of Bumiputeras compared to non-Bumiputeras. According to Kee (1976), he
conducted studies pertaining to the intake percentage of Bumiputeras to non-Bumiputeras within the
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education sector in Malaysia. And throughout the years from 1970 2009, there has been drastic
increases in the percentage intake of Bumiputeras and also a drastic decrease of non-Bumiputeras.
On the discourse of awarding scholarships, Bumiputeras have been preferred in greater amounts
than compared to its racial minority, the non-Bumiputeras. Studies also indicate that over the years,
significant percentages of Bumiputeras get accepted annually, compared to non-Bumiputeras and
that ethnic attitudes represented a very polarized community among public universities (Rabushka,
1971). Studies show that Chinese and Indians communities are receiving less funding than Malay
school and the Prime Minister decided to change the structure of Chinese and Tamil primary schools
which are not using Bahasa Melayu as a primary Language into National primary schools, whereas
the NEP favored greatly for Malays in terms of the education and business sectors (Crouch, 1996).
Not much study been conducted to what should be done to stop an issue from still occurring in this
time in private universities.
During the years, Malaysia has registered Bumiputeras exclusive institutes such as MARA (Majlis
Amanah Rakyat) which offer tertiary education and exclusive scholarships to only Bumiputeras not
just in Malaysia but overseas scholarships thus stating application of racial quotas and the
Affirmative Action Policy within public institutes (Lee, 2010). Lee (2012) also states that a number
of non-bumiputeras study overseas predominantly funded by families. Introduction of private
institutes in Malaysia then opened opportunities to non-Bumiputeras from the mid-1990s which help
the increased the demand for tertiary educations. Due to the affirmative action which lead to
fragmentation in which majority of Bumiputeras enrolled into domestic public universities whilst
non-bumiputeras got distributed among domestic public and private universities and overseas.
Studies conducted in the past have shown that percentage of admissions within universities of
bumiputeras and non-bumiputeras have drastically changed to 63% Bumiputeras, 29.7% Chinese,
and 6.5% Indians (Khoo, 2005) and have probably increased since then.
Such as the case with scholarships, students receive different benefits on basis of their race such as
Bumiputera are generally more accepted into public universities by a significant percentage
compared to that of other local racial minorities, also universities within Malaysia have been noted
to be practicing discrimination in awarding scholarships (Ramasamy, 2004: 151). Race and ethnicity
play major influential factors in the pursuit of a childs education but studies showcased that some
national news journalists conclude that local universities have done poorly in integrating ethnic
diversity (Kamaruzaman, 2006; Sidek, 2007). Dilip Lahiri (2008), points out that the indian minority
also faces discrimination in other sectors other than just education such as business, allotment of
land, etc. but even after Malaysias independence, all the other ethnic localities gained equal rights
and opportunities but what is practiced and what is experienced is still different to what it
perceived/written.
Looking back at the history of Malaysia, the institutionalized policies of the New Economic Policy
and the Affirmative Action Policy laid the groundwork of favoring the majority group (Malays) out
of the three ethnic groups (Singh, 2013). Article 153 of the constitution supports the affirmative
action policy safeguarding the preferred treatment to Bumiputeras and also the indigenous groups
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(Orang Asli, Sabahans, & Sarawakians) but on specific conditions so initially, there are meant to be
a means of bringing balance to the country within the different sectors but it is being abused and
used against its local minority counterparts (Lee, 2012; Mohamed Noordin Sopiee, 1976; Ratnam,
1965). Not much studies conducted talk about if private institutions abuse the Affirmative Action
Policy to gain an advantage over local minority groups.
Current findings related to limitations foretell that students will not speak much about their own
personal experiences which could have a number of reasons behind it such as withholding
information about their personal experiences, respondents could just say that their
interaction/relationship with ethnic groups are good even though their social interaction is only at an
acquaintance level (Jasmine, 2014). Respondents may also be sensitive discussing such a topic and
may not want to paint themselves in a negative light lest it may clash (Jasmine, 2014).
Due to the lack of understanding of other ethnic groups, it could be concluded that not much study
conducted if the functions of prejudice and stereotyping act as a factor of effect within the education
sector amongst the three major ethnic groups. Self-analysing of ones own ethnic can also lead to
degradation of ethnic images, in other words, it could be said that giving into ones own ethnic
stereotypical norms can change perspectives of their own culture (Healy, 2009; Ibrahim et. Al,
2013). Stereotypical attitudes can decrease social interactions of other ethnic groups from ones
perspective. Studies showcase for such cases that although not explicitly experienced, individualistic
views can still keep the trend of prejudice (Hadi, 2003).

1.2 Research objective

To examine the perceived racial profiling experiences by students in private universities.

1.3 Research questions

What are the perceived racial profiling experiences by students in private universities?
1.4 Significance of study
Education is seen as key nation-building tool following independence. This study is aimed at
finding and understanding the issues of racial profiling within the private education sector. Racial
profiling is a serious issue at its core with many motives backing it. This research aims to resolve the
issue at hand from within the education sector.
Since many studies conducted in the past have talked about how racial profiling affect students of
local minorities in public universities. Not much research has been conducted of those students
within the private universities. The significance will help future researchers as a base to stand on and
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how to proced in researching this topics advancement and how to solve it. The research conducted
will pave way for said future researchers to further contribute to the topic, with enough time given
for research, this issue will be brought to light and help change policies not just in institutes but to
an overall degree to better accommodate the local minorities.
The following research not only provides insight on the issue but a much greater gain of cultural
knowledge and understanding, and the ability to get along with those of different ethnic
backgrounds and races. This will increase interracial policies among institutions, businesses, and
ultimately, the government of Malaysia. This study further looks into what degree of racial profiling
is experienced by students and to what degree it is reported/observed. Such topics of discussion will
help in bringing peaceful behaviour among individuals within societies.
Besides racial profiling, social integration amongst different localities and internationals be observed
and could benefit those around them to start the practice as well, this can also result in motivation to
address issues where needed. It can further open culture diversification among localities plus it can
also remove stereotyping of races, moreover it will also benefit the current and upcoming generation
to help avoid repeating history and bring culture diversification to the country.
Over the general viewpoint of beliefs given, this study not only highlights the issue presented and its
many factors which give it strength but it also bring forth opportunities of the many solutions in
dealing with it.

1.5 Study limitation

Sample limitation
One of the major limitations is the inability of the participants to make firm conclusions regarding
discrimination. Individuals may not be aware and lack knowledege on discrimination which
becomes an obstactle if tehey have experienced an incident and dont know thats its discrimatory .
On a practical note, it is important to consider the possible difficulties of participants expressing
themselves as some individuals consider it a vcery sensitive topic if they have encountered racial
profiling incenidents
This issue will be tackled during the study by educating them on basic knowledge on dicrimination
before they proceed to participating in the study
Participants need to be interested and articulate - problems that can cause difficulties in being able to
express themselves include foreign language, age, brain damage, and embarrassment.

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Sampling method limitation

Quota sampling makes it impossible to detect a potential sampling error, since the sample is not
chosen via random selection. Even if a proportion of the population is estimated correctly, the
sample selection may be biased, and since statistical inferences cannot be made from the sample to
the population, it leads to generalization problems. It is also difficult to have an accurate quota frame
due to the unavailability of current information on certain topics
In this research the population will be divided into two groups Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera and
three sub-groups.

Method of analysis definition

There can be difficulty in ensuring pure bracketing - this can lead to interference in the interpretation
of the data.
The presentation of results - the highly qualitative nature of the results can make them difficult to
present in a manner that is usable by practitioners.Because the samples are generally very small, can
we ever say that the experiences are typical?

2.0 Literature review

Racial discrimination/racial profiling in education is the act of discriminating against people
belonging to certain categories in enjoying full right to education. It is considered a violation of
enunciated human rights (Convention Against Discriminaton in Education ,1960)

Racial discrimination /discrimination alludes to practices, standards and practices inside of

establishments and social structures, which have the impact of denying rights or chances to
individuals from minority groups, keeping them from acquiring the same open doors accessible to
the majority group. Structural separation can happen both deliberately and accidentally. The term is
additionally used as a part of a connection to more casual practices, which have gotten to be
installed in regular authoritative life and viably, became part of the system, "how we do things
around here (Human Rights Commission, pg 20-30, 2011).

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2.1 Racial discrimination/ racial profiling at the workplace

There are two kinds of discrimination for which a company can be sued for: disparate treatment and
disparate impact. Disparate treatment at work is where the employee is discriminated because the
employer does not like his/her race. Disparate impact is where the policies and regulations of the
company are discriminatory (Kapur & Kleiner, 2000)
In this line a grouping of government and state statutes give potential individuals who affirm that
their rights are abused by race-based law requirement practices and strategies (Feder, 2012).
Generally racial profiling has been fast prevailing in the private sector this is because applicants are
not judged based on their abilities rather by racial identity; Chinese are at higher advantage of
receiving favorable hiring response unlike the Malays For example the there is a big range in the
difference of the races that get engineering jobs compared to accounting jobs (Lee & Khalid, 2015).
Wages are given based on race, regions and education levels, Chinese living in developed areas
receive better wages (Ismail & Jairi, 2012)

2.2Racial discrimination/ profiling and gender

Convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW 1979),
characterizes discrimination "...any distinction, rejection or limitation made on the basis of sex
which has the impact or reason for hindering or invalidating the acknowledgment, happiness or
exercise by women, regardless of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of
human rights and key opportunities in the political, financial, social, social, common or whatever
other field" (author, year, page no)
Studies depict that male workers are paid higher wages than their female counterparts, even though
they possess similar qualifications or skills (Blau and Khan, 2003). The likelihood of this is that
employers deem women to be less productive, immobile, and possessing less leadership skills
(Darity Jr and Mason, 1998). This phenomenon has resulted in discrimination against women;
consequently leading women to hold low paying jobs.

Majority of the women promoted were promoted in accordance to which they knew. A number of
barriers were highlighted personality, preference for family, lack of confidence, lack of leadership
charisma, insufficient experience, society expectation, lack of informal network, geographical
relocation, limited access to professional training, quota, low self esteem, competitive examination,
lack of power, perceived lack of compatibility, no mentoring system and difficulty in finding
husband (Abdul Ghani Azmi, I.1 , Syed Ismail, S. H. and Basir, S. A.,2011).(names appear like this
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in the journal)

2.3 Racial discrimination/ profiling in education

Discrimination in education is the act of discriminating against people belonging to certain
categories in enjoying full right to education. It is considered a violation of enunciated human
rights.. It is viewed as an infringement of articulated human rights. (Schuppe, 2015)
Race and ethnicity are major influential factors in the pursuit of a childs education (Kamaruzaman,
2006; Sidek, 2007). Students receive different benefits on basis of their race such as Bumiputera are
generally more accepted into a significant percentage compared to the other local racial minorities.
Not much study has been conducted on the research of non-Bumiputeras getting accepted into
public Universities. Whereas study shows a significant percentage of Bumiputeras get accepted
every year, compared to non-Bumiputeras and that ethnic attitudes represented a very polarized
community among public universities (Rabushka, 1971). Studies show that Chinese and Tamil
communities are receiving less funding than Malay school and the Prime Minister decided to change
the structure of Chinese and Tamil primary schools which are not using Bahasa Melayu as a primary
Language into National primary schools.
A more recent study shows that more bumiputera students are awarded government grants for
abroad studies compared and the non-bumiputera understudies (Joseph 2006, Lee 2012) universities
have also been noted to be practicing discrimination in awarding scholarships (Ramasamy, 2004).

2.4 Social Stratification Theory

Social Stratification is the positioning of individuals in a vertical course of action (chain of
importance) that separates them as prevalent or substandard. Organic qualities to not get to be
significant in examples of social prevalence and mediocrity until they are socially perceived and
given significance by being joined into the convictions, demeanors and estimations of the general
population in the general public. Social stratification implies that imbalance has been standardized.

Racial and ethnic stratification alludes frameworks of disparity in which some altered gatherings
enrollment, for example, race, religion, or national cause is a noteworthy standard for positioning
social positions and their differential prizes. Race is socially characterized on the premise of an
assumed basic hereditary legacy bringing about recognizing physical attributes. Ethnicity alludes to
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the state of being socially as opposed to physically unmistakable. Ethnic people groups are bound
together by temperance of normal family line and a typical social foundation.

In connection to comprehend social stratification in view of or around the idea of ethnicity, there are
two primary territories that we have to talk about:

Firstly, those structures where natural attributes, (for example, skin shading) are a deciding normal
for an individual's position in a stratification framework.
In such social orders, both prejudice and racialism are drilled legitimately (that is, it is viewed as
typical for a general public all in all to oppress specific ethnic gatherings).

Standardized Racialism
Analysts can start this investigation by taking a gander at the first of the classes noted above, for the
most part since social orders that have drilled regulated racialism have a tendency to be simpler to
depict and evaluate. Researcehrs picked this hypothesis to show how race or ethnicity work together
with assessment by individuals in training region. Hypothesis is demonstrating race imbalance in the
public arena, because of that specialists approach it this study.

3.0 Introduction.
Racial profiling by law enforcement is commonly defined as a practice that targets people for
suspicion of crime based on their race, ethnicity, religion or national origin. Creating a profile about
the kinds of people who commit certain types of crimes may lead officers to generalize about a
particular group and act according to the generalization rather than specific behavior.
Racial profiling can cause multiple problems. Several law enforcement agencies have gone through
expensive litigation over civil rights concerns. Police-citizen relations in those communities have
been strained, making policing all the more challenging. Most importantly, racial profiling is
unlikely to be an effective policing strategy as criminals can simply shift their activities outside the
profile (e.g., if racial profiling begins with police stopping black males in their teens and twenties
for being drug carriers, criminals may start using other demographic groups such as Hispanics,
children or the elderly to move drugs).
Despite training to avoid discrimination, officers may still rely on cultural stereotypes and act on
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their perceptions of a person's characteristics (such as age, race or gender). (National Institute of
Justice, 2013).

3.1 Research Design

Research objective
To examine the perceived racial profiling experiences by students in private universities.

3.2 Research questions

What are the perceived racial profiling experiences by students in private universities?

3.3 Data Collection method

Data Collection is an important aspect of any type of research study. Inaccurate data collection can
impact the results of a study and ultimately lead to invalid results.

Data collection methods for impact evaluation vary along a continuum. At the one end of this
continuum are quantitative methods and at the other end of the continuum are Qualitative methods
for data collection.(Leedy and Ormrod, 2001)

Quantitative and Qualitative Data collection methods

The Quantitative data collection methods, rely on random sampling and structured data collection
instruments that fit diverse experiences into predetermined response categories. They produce
results that are easy to summarize, compare, and generalize.

Quantitative research is concerned with testing hypotheses derived from theory and/or being able to
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estimate the size of a phenomenon of interest. Depending on the research question, participants may
be randomly assigned to different treatments. If this is not feasible, the researcher may collect data
on participant and situational characteristics in order to statistically control for their influence on the
dependent, or outcome, variable. If the intent is to generalize from the research participants to a
larger population, the researcher will employ probability sampling to select participants. .(Leedy and
Ormrod, 2001)

Typical quantitative data gathering strategies include:

Experiments/clinical trials.
Observing and recording well-defined events (e.g., counting the number of patients waiting in
emergency at specified times of the day).
Obtaining relevant data from management information systems.Administering surveys with closedended questions (e.g., face-to face and telephone interviews, questionnaires etc) (Leedy and Ormrod,
2001).

Interviews
In Quantitative research(survey research),interviews are more structured than in Qualitative research
(Leedy and Ormrod, 2001).

In a structured interview,the researcher asks a standard set of questions and nothing more (Leedy
and Ormrod, 2001).

Face -to -face interviews have a distinct advantage of enabling the researcher to establish rapport
with potential participants and therefor gain their cooperation. These interviews yield highest
response rates in survey research. They also allow the researcher to clarify ambiguous answers and
when appropriate, seek follow-up information. Disadvantages include impractical when large
samples are involved time consuming and expensive (Leedy and Ormrod, 2001).

Telephone interviews are less time consuming and less expensive and the researcher has ready
access to anyone on the planet who has a telephone. Disadvantages are that the response rate is not
as high as the face-to- face interview but considerably higher than the mailed questionnaire. The
sample may be biased to the extent that people without phones are part of the population about
whom the researcher wants to draw inferences.
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Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI): is a form of personal interviewing, but instead of
completing a questionnaire, the interviewer brings along a laptop or hand-held computer to enter the
information directly into the database. This method saves time involved in processing the data, as
well as saving the interviewer from carrying around hundreds of questionnaires. However, this type
of data collection method can be expensive to set up and requires that interviewers have computer
and typing skills.

Questionnaires
Paper-pencil-questionnaires can be sent to a large number of people and saves the researcher time
and money. People are more truthful while responding to the questionnaires regarding controversial
issues in particular due to the fact that their responses are anonymous. But they also have
drawbacks. Majority of the people who receive questionnaires don't return them and those who do
might not be representative of the originally selected sample.(Leedy and Ormrod, 2001)

Web based questionnaires : A new and inevitably growing methodology is the use of Internet based
research. This would mean receiving an e-mail on which you would click on an address that would
take you to a secure web-site to fill in a questionnaire. This type of research is often quicker and less
detailed. Some disadvantages of this method include the exclusion of people who do not have a
computer or are unable to access a computer. Also the validity of such surveys are in question as
people might be in a hurry to complete it and so might not give accurate responses (Leedy and
Ormrod, 2001).

Questionnaires often make use of Checklist and rating scales. These devices help simplify and
quantify people's behaviors and attitudes. A checklist is a list of behaviors, characteristics, or other
entities that te researcher is looking for. Either the researcher or survey participant simply checks
whether each item on the list is observed, present or true or vice versa. A rating scale is more useful
when a behavior needs to be evaluated on a continuum. They are also known as Likert scales.
(Leedy and Ormrod, 2001)

Method that will be used in this research is Qualitative data Collection Method. Qualitative
researchers are mainly concerned with meaning (e.g., how individuals make sense of the world, how
they experience events, what meaning they attribute to phenomena). In other words, they are more
preoccupied with the quality of experience, rather than causal relationships. Qualitative data
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collection methods play an important role in impact evaluation by providing information useful to
understand the processes behind observed results and assess changes in peoples perceptions of their
well-being. Furthermore qualitative methods can be used to improve the quality of survey-based
quantitative evaluations by helping generate evaluation hypothesis; strengthening the design of
survey questionnaires and expanding or clarifying quantitative evaluation findings. These methods
are characterized by the following attributes:

they tend to be open-ended and have less structured protocols (i.e., researchers may change the data
collection strategy by adding, refining, or dropping techniques or informants)

they rely more heavily on interactive interviews; respondents may be interviewed several times to
follow up on a particular issue, clarify concepts or check the reliability of data

they use triangulation to increase the credibility of their findings (i.e., researchers rely on multiple
data collection methods to check the authenticity of their results)

generally their findings are not generalizable to any specific population, rather each case study
produces a single piece of evidence that can be used to seek general patterns among different studies
of the same issue

Regardless of the kinds of data involved, data collection in a qualitative study takes a great deal of
time. The researcher needs to record any potentially useful data toughly, accurately, and
systematically, using field notes, sketches, audiotapes, photographs and other suitable means. The
data collection methods must observe the ethical principles of research.

3.4 Analysis method

The analysis of the data will be phenomenology, which is the direct investigation and description of
phenomena as consciously experienced, without theories about their causal explanations or their
objective reality.
It therefore seeks to understand how people construct meaning of their perceived a racial profiling
encounters.
The aim of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is to explore in detail how participants
are making sense of their personal and social world, and the main currency for an IPA study is the
meanings particular experiences, events, states hold for participants. The approach is
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phenomenological in that it involves detailed examination of the participants life experience; it

attempts to explore personal experience and is concerned with an individuals personal perception or
account of an object or event, as opposed to an attempt to produce an objective statement of the
object or event itself. At the same time, IPA also emphasizes that the research exercise is a dynamic
process with an active role for the researcher in that process. One is trying to get close to the
participants personal world, to take, in Conrads (1987) words, an insiders perspective, but one
cannot do this directly or completely. Access depends on, and is complicated by, the researchers
own conceptions; indeed, these are required in order to make sense of that other personal world
through a process of interpretative activity. Thus, a two-stage interpretation process, or a double
hermeneutic, is involved. The participants are trying to make sense of their world; the researcher is
trying to make sense of the participants trying to make sense of their world. IPA is therefore
intellectually connected to hermeneutics and theories of interpretation (Packer and Addison, 1989;
Palmer, 1969). Different interpretative stances are possible, and IPA combines an empathic
hermeneutics with a questioning hermeneutics. Thus, consistent with its phenomenological origins,
IPA is concerned with trying to understand what it is like, from the point of view of the participants,
to take their side. At the same time, a detailed IPA analysis can also involve asking critical questions
of the texts from participants, such as the following: What is the person trying to achieve here? Is
something leaking out here that wasnt intended? Do I have a sense of something going on here that
maybe the participants themselves are less aware of? We would say that both styles of interpretation
are part of sustained qualitative inquiry but that the degree of emphasis will depend on the
particularities of the IPA study concerned. The ordinary word understanding usefully captures
these two aspects of interpretation-understanding in the sense of identifying or empathizing with and
understanding as trying to make sense of. Allowing for both aspects in the inquiry is likely to lead to
a richer analysis and to do greater justice to the totality of the person, warts and all. IPA also
acknowledges a debt to symbolic interactionism (Denzin, 1995) with its concern for how meanings
are constructed by individuals within both a social and a personal world. IPA has a theoretical
commitment to the person as a cognitive, linguistic, affective and physical being and assumes a
chain of connection between peoples talk and their thinking and emotional state.

Location and Subject

SEGi students in SEGi University

3.5 Population and sampling

A sample is a finite part of a statistical population whose properties are studied to gain information
about the whole (Webster, 1985). When dealing with people, it can be defined as a set of
respondents selected from a larger population for the purpose of a survey.
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A sample is the group of people who take part in the investigation. The people who take part are
referred to as participants. Sampling is the process of selecting participants from the population.
The target population is the total group of individuals from which the sample might be drawn.
General is ability refers to the extent to which we can apply the findings of our research to the target
population we are interested in.
Quota sampling is a non-probability sampling technique wherein the assembled sample has the same
proportions of individuals as the entire population with respect to known characteristics, traits or
focused phenomenon.
The main reason why researchers choose quota samples is that it allows the researchers to sample a
subgroup that is of great interest to the study. If a study aims to investigate a trait or a characteristic
of a certain subgroup(racial groups), this type of sampling is the ideal technique.
Quota sampling also allows the researchers to observe relationships between subgroups. In some
studies, traits of a certain subgroup interact with other traits of another subgroup. In such cases, it is
also necessary for the researcher to use this type of sampling technique.
The groups in this searcher are Bumiputeras and Non-Bumiputeras: Chinese, Malays, Indians.
Participants will be chosen by following Variables and Criteria:

Variable
Nationality

Criteria
Only Malaysians will be chosen

Race

All can be chosen but the racial group will

be divided into two : Bumiputera and nonBumiputera
Any age group can be chosen
Any Programme
Degree or Diploma students

Age
Programme of Study
Level of Study

3.6 Research Instruments

The information required for this research topic will be conducted via two mediums: interviews and
questionnaires.
This studies requires the use of an interview consisting of short-structured open-ended questions
method and also a survey in the design of a questionnaire to understand and retrieve the information
needed to understand if racial profiling is still prevalent in this time and age among Malaysian
students. Both these methods will be designed from an interview schedule and a topic guide and to
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papered questionnaires.
Interviews would assist in asking the more complex questions of why and how? And also help
in understanding better of results presented. The interviews would consist of questions regarding the
respondents information and experiences. The main goal of interviews will assist in obtaining
respondents views. Interviews are a flexible method of surveying in terms of conducting interviews
and where the time and place it takes as well.

Questionnaires help in asking the what questions and getting factual data. Questionnaires can also
help participants remain anonymous which can help in the sensitive topic of racial profiling
experiences of students. Questionnaires help in gaining information quick in a short period of time
from a large amount of participants. The questionnaires will consist of three parts. Part A would
consist of introductory questions of the participant which will not exceed more than 5 questions
whereas Part B consists of questions regarding the matter at hand. The number of questions will be
ranged from 20 to 25. Part C would be the conclusion to the survey asking of feedback and opinions.

The end result of both these methods will help us better understand the research topic and to proceed
further with the end conclusion of whether or not racial profiling is prevalent in this time and age.
And what factors affects the percentage of racial profiling experiences.

3.7 Piloting and Pre-testing

Pilot testing would be a small trial session of the perceived methodology and will be conducted to
find out if questionnaires work. The pilot testing will help if the participants not only understand the
research questions presented but understand them in the same way. The pilot testing will help in
understanding if any participants feel uncomfortable by the research or any of its components. The
pilot test will also assist in allocating how much time it takes to complete one survey.
The pilot testing will be conducted on various subgroups such as different ethnicities, gender, young
and old, so as to have a perspective from every angle on the subject matter. This will help the way
the research is conducted so as to approach it with a more subtle stance on the topic at hand.
After every trial run conducted, each respondent will be asked for feedback to give their perspective
on the questions and the whole research conducted.

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3.8 Validation & Reliability of Instruments

Validity and reliability of the instruments will only be examined after the pilot testing of our
research from the feedback and observations of respondents. The main reason of pilot testing is to
paint an initial picture of validity and reliability of the source material, and to obtain similar content,
which matches the goal of the survey. To test the accuracy of any research instrument, validity and
reliability plays a vital role helping whatever is measured is accurate and constant with what has
been used and researched with by past researchers. Validity of an instrument checks the
compatibility of a research instrument, in other words, to what percentage of the test measures what
it is supposed to measure. Reliability of an instrument can showcase if the same results are received
if the trial run is repeated multiple times. Reliability can be calculated by comparing the consistency
between two results.
During the pilot testing, the questions asked and answered will be compared by other trial runs
answers to measure the adequacy and similarities of the answers.

3.9 Data Collection Procedures

The procedures to been taken for the collection are acquiring a letter of permission from SEGi
university administration as it is the location of the research study as well as getting consent from
the participants that will be responding to the questions.
The data collection process will be done at the SEGi tower lobby and the lobby at the main campus
because it is easier to get respondents since most students pass through the lobby before getting to
their classes. It will go on for two days.
The participants that will be chosen will be only Malaysians divided into two groups and
Bumiputera and non- Bumiputera and later into three sub groups the malays, Chinese and Tamil.
Participants will be approached using a non-probability sampling technique wherein the
assembled sample has the same proportions of individuals as the entire population with respect to
known characteristics, traits or focused phenomenon.

3.10 Data analysis and statistical significance

In this process the study will also analyze opened ended responses as it aims at understanding the
perceived experiences of racial profiling by students. These open-ended responses will be
categorized under topic headers to establish thematic coding using the constant comparative method.

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RACIAL PROFILING

The analysis of the data will be phenomenology, which is the direct investigation and description of
phenomena as consciously experienced, without theories about their causal explanations or their
objective reality.
It therefore seeks to understand how people construct meaning of their perceived a racial profiling
encounters
This analysis will be using a clean transcription that catches the essential importance behind given
explanations yet does not sort them precisely as spoken. Linguistic blunders are adjusted and sounds
or words that don't add to the essential message are removed (Brittany, 2015). It requires the
examiner to take one piece of data (E.g. one meeting, one enunciation or one subject) and balance it
with each and every other piece of data that are either equivalent or different. In the midst of this
strategy, the researcher begins to look at what makes this bit of data particular and/or like diverse
bits (Glasser, 1965)

3.8 Ethical considerations

There are a few reasons why it is critical to stick to moral standards in research Initially; standards
advance the points of examination, for example, information, truth, and prevention of mistakes. For
instance, this study focuses on the racial inequalities of minority groups. As it is race is already a
sensitive issue and the study is dealing with a number of ethnic groups so when the questions are
structured it is crucial to structure them with care so as not to disrespect any race.

Second, since research consistently incorporates a great deal of support and coordination among
different people in different establishments and moral benchmarks advance the qualities that are
vital to shared work for instance, trust, obligation common appreciation and reasonableness.
As previously stated above the structure of the questions should not only show respect for one group
but to all the individuals involved in the study hence getting meaningful data and feedback.

Moral standards in research create open support for study. Individuals will most likely back an
investigation only if they can trust the quality and respectability of the examination.

Finally, a vast bit of the measures of investigation advance a collection of other vital great and social
qualities, for instance, social commitment, human rights, and animal welfare, consistence with the
law, and general wellbeing and security. Moral disappointments in research can alter the outcomes
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RACIAL PROFILING

of the results. Researchers who fail to adhere to moral standards and principles may jeopardize the
entire study and well being of the participants.

3.9 Summary
In conclusion the above step are what will be executed in the collection and analysis of the data.
Using interviews and questionnaires will do the data collection and analysis will be
phenomenological, which is the direct investigation and description of phenomena as consciously
experienced, without theories about their causal explanations or their objective reality.
The pilot testing will be done to ensure that the method Is viable for the study.

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