· Assessment item 2
Summary and critique of two research studies
Value: 60%
Due date: 28-May-2018
Return date: 20-Jun-2018
Length: 2500 words
Submission method options
EASTS (online)
Task
Summary and critical evaluation of two research articles (60 marks)
Select two articles from the three cited below.
Part A) Write a summary in point form of the features of each article.
Part B) Write a critical evaluation of the two articles you have selected.
Part A) The summary should address the following questions for each of your two chosen articles:
· What is the research topic or problem, being studied by the author(s)?
· What research question(s) were identified?
· What research paradigm(s) has informed the research?
· What methodology is used?
· What data collection methods were used to address the research question(s)?
· Where was the study located and who were the participants?
· What were the major findings reported by the authors?
· What limitations were identified by the author(s)?
· What implications for practice are suggested by the author(s)?
Part B) The critical evaluation should address the following questions for each of your two chosen articles. Use your knowledge of research methods to explain your evaluations for all questions except the last:
· How appropriate were the data collection methods for answering the research question(s)?
· What ethical considerations are relevant to this study, and how well have they been addressed by the author(s)? Refer to considerations in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research XXXXXXXXXXas part of your answer.
· Identify and discuss one aspect of either validity or reliabilityof the research in each article.
· How might the findings of the research be applied in your own practice?
The articles identified below are examples of cu
ent early childhood research. They have been selected because they use different research methods to investigate the topic of outdoor play. We expect the topic will be of interest to all of you, and hope that you will find these papers interesting and engaging to read. We hope they will also provoke you, in that you may have opinions and experiences that are different from the views of the authors and the research participants.
Whilst reading for interest, and agreeing or disagreeing with the research findings are important first steps in reading research, engaging in the practice of critical evaluation requires a more thoughtful and careful analysis of research articles. Therefore, in your first read through of each article, you should make some initial notes about your response to the article. After this, you should read the article again, slowly and methodically, addressing and thinking about the questions and guidelines for reading research. Keep your textbook handy, as well as McMillan and Wergin XXXXXXXXXXUnderstanding and evaluating educational research. This source is available in eReserve, and should be consulted as you prepare your assignment.
Choose TWO of the following articles only. Copy and paste the links for your chosen articles into a search engine to access the article. Please include the reference to the article as part of your assignment so that we know which two you have chosen.
To access the articles, copy and paste the link into your web
owser - Google Chrome or Firefox recommended.
McClintic, S., & Petty, K XXXXXXXXXXExploring early childhood teachers' beliefs and practices about preschool outdoor play: A qualitative study. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, 36(1), XXXXXXXXXXdoi:10.1080/ XXXXXXXXXX
LINK: http:
ezproxy.csu.edu.au/login?url=http:
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN= XXXXXXXXXX&site=ehost-live
Olsen, H., & Smith, B XXXXXXXXXXSandboxes, loose parts, and playround equipment: A descriptive exploration of outdoor play environments. Early Child Development and Care, 187, XXXXXXXXXXdoi:10.1080/ XXXXXXXXXX1282928
LINK: https:
ezproxy.csu.edu.au/login?url=https:
doi-org.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/10.1080/ XXXXXXXXXX1282928
Ihmeideh, F. M., & I
ahim, A. A.-Q XXXXXXXXXXExploring kindergarten teachers' views and roles regarding children's outdoor play environments in Oman. Early Years, 36(1), XXXXXXXXXXdoi:10.1080/ XXXXXXXXXX1077783
LINK: https:
ezproxy.csu.edu.au/login?url=https:
doi-org.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/10.1080/ XXXXXXXXXX1077783
Rationale
Summary and Critical Evaluation of Two Research Studies - Developing the ability to think critically about the question, the methods, and the conclusions in research concerning early childhood education will help inform your practice as an educator.
This assessment allows you to demonstrate the degree to which you have met the following learning objectives for this subject:
· evaluate the appropriateness of different research approaches to investigating and addressing problems in early childhood education;
· understand the different paradigms within which research in early childhood education is situated and explain the implications for the research process;
· describe and comment upon cu
ent research in early childhood education;
· analyse and critique reports of research into early childhood education / practice;
· identify some research methods useful for educators' research on their own professional practice;
· identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in research in early childhood education.
Marking criteria
The following marking criteria will be used for assessment 2:
1. Quality of the summary. (20 marks; 10 marks per article)
In order to pass criterion 1, you must show that all required aspects of the assessment task are fully attended to and are completed in detail. You must also provide evidence of your developing understanding of research concepts by co
ectly identifying the features of the two articles you choose. Written summaries which do not meet these standards will fail this criterion.
2. Critical Evaluation. (35 marks; 17.5 marks per article)
In order to pass criterion 2, you must provide critically evaluative comments about research issues and concepts, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the two articles thoughtfully. To critically evaluate means asking the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’, not the ‘whats’ - so this means being analytical, not just descriptive. To be analytical, you need to use your knowledge of research methods to analyse and assess what the researchers have reported. Responses that only include a description of aspects of the articles will fail this criterion. References to research-related sources (for example, Modules, textbook and suggested reading) must be used to support answers in this section of the assignment - except for the question concerning practice.
3. Grammar and referencing (5 marks)
In order to pass criterion 3, you must present citations and referencing in accordance with the University's standard approach (APA 6th edition), and present a comprehensible written assessment response. Failure for this criterion will occur where students depart from the APA guidelines, implement the guidelines inconsistenly or do not include references for Part B of the assignment as required. Additionally, appropriate academic English should be used and writing should be coherent and free of grammatical and spelling mistakes. Responses that contain multiple grammatical e
ors, are incomprehensible or organised chaotically will fail this criterion.
Marking ru
ic Assessment 2 EER413
Criteria
Unsatisfactory
Pass
Credit
Distinction
High Distinction
(10 Marks) Quality of the summary of article1.
Not all elements of the task were addressed, OR There is little or no evidence of understanding of research concepts.
All required aspects of the summary are addressed. However, more detail/explanation was needed in response to some of the questions. There is evidence of a basic understanding of research concepts.
All required aspects of the summary are addressed in adequate detail. There is evidence of a good understanding of research concepts.
All required aspects of the summary are fully addressed and are completed comprehensively. There is evidence of a strong understanding of research concepts.
All required aspects of the summary are fully addressed and are completed comprehensively. There is evidence of an exceptional understanding of research concepts.
(10 Marks) Quality of the summary of article 2.
Not all elements of the task were addressed, OR There is little or no evidence of understanding of research concepts.
All required aspects of the summary are addressed. However, more detail/explanation was needed in response to some of the questions. There is evidence of a basic understanding of research concepts.
All required aspects of the summary are addressed in adequate detail. There is evidence of a good understanding of research concepts.
All required aspects of the summary are fully addressed and are completed comprehensively. There is evidence of a strong understanding of research concepts
All required aspects of the summary are fully addressed and are completed comprehensively. There is evidence of an exceptional understanding of research concepts.
(17.5 Marks) Quality of critical reflection/ evaluation of article 1.
Not all of the evaluation questions are addressed OR
There is little or no evidence of critical evaluation.
There is no research-related referencing
All evaluation questions are addressed. However, more depth and/or detail are needed. Evaluative comments demonstrate some awareness of research issues and concepts. The response is informed by research-related references, but could have been used more extensively to support the evaluation.
All required evaluation questions are addressed in detail. Critical evalution demonstrates a good level of understanding of research issues and concepts, including the strengths and weaknesses of the research. The response is adequately informed by research-related references.
All required aspects of the evaluation are addressed in detail. Critical evaluation desmonstrates a strong understanding of research issues and concepts, including strengths and weaknesses of the research. The response is well informed by research-related references.
All required aspects of the evaluation are addressed.
Reflective comments demonstrate an exceptional understanding of research issues and concepts, including the strengths and weaknesses of the research. An exceptional level of critical reflection is demonstrated. The response is exceptionally well informed by research-related references
(17.5 Marks) Quality of critical reflection/ evaluation of article 2.
Not all of the evaluation questions are addressed OR
There is little or no evidence of critical evaluation.
There is no research-related referencing
All evaluation questions are addressed. However, more depth and/or detail are needed. Evaluative comments demonstrate some awareness of research issues and concepts. The response is informed by research-related references, but could have been used more extensively to support the evaluation.
All required evaluation questions are addressed in detail. Critical evalution demonstrates a good level of understanding of research issues and concepts, including the strengths and weaknesses of the research. The response is adequately informed by research-related references
All required aspects of the evaluation are addressed in detail. Critical evaluation desmonstrates a strong understanding of research issues and concepts, including strengths and weaknesses of the research. The response is well informed by research-related references.
All responses of the evaluation are addressed. Reflective comments demonstrate an exceptional understanding of research issues and concepts, including the strengths and weaknesses of the research. An exceptional level of critical reflection is demonstrated. The response is exceptionally well informed by research-related references.
(5 Marks)
Grammar and organization
Assessment is not comprehensible, OR there are many typographical, grammatical or organisation e
ors OR the assignment is organised chaotically.
Several typographical, grammatical and organizational e
ors throughout the document. However, the assessment is comprehensible.
Some typographical, grammatical and organizational e
ors. However, the assessment is comprehensible.
Only minor e
ors. Assessment is