Evaluate aspects of the research process relevant to young people and education, interpreting strengths and weaknesses and issues

  100% Pass and No Plagiarism Guaranteed

Evaluate aspects of the research process relevant to young people and education, interpreting strengths and weaknesses and issues of reliability and validity.

CASS SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES UNDERGRADUATE FEEDBACK      

Module Name: Researching Issues in Education                Module Code

ED5012 CW1. Reflective Essay

Learning Outcomes  to be met  Not met               Partially met

                Adequately met               Fully met

Knowledge

1. Evaluate aspects of the research process relevant to young people and education, interpreting strengths and weaknesses and issues of reliability and validity.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

5. Evidence and reflect on the skills acquired and developed in relation to self-management, teamwork and professional roles and responsibilities in the field and beyond                           

Level Five – Grading Criteria Summary

                Mark     Class      Provisional

Grade

Evidence of use of recent research and original, critical thought

                80+         1st

Tightly argued presentation and critical analysis. Logical and coherent

                70-79                    

Balanced arguments. Accurate application of relevant theory.

Clear expression

                60-69     U 2nd   

Reasonable use of theory/evidence of understanding.

Some discontinuities

                50-59     L 2nd    

Fulfils minimum requirement of assessment.

Some evidence of analysis

                40-49     3rd        

Limited evidence of understanding

                20-39    

Fail        

A poor effort     0-19                    

Please reflect on your experience in carrying out this assignment/completing this module and let us know in the statements below:

1.  In the process of doing this I learned…..

2.  What I found to be most difficult was….

3.  I think that the strength of this is….

4.Feed forward – in future I will focus on the following areas in order to progress…

5.What feedback from previous assignments have you found helpful in completing this work

Please present your essay appropriately:

Delete all the instructions given in red or blue font but ...DO NOT HOWEVER DELETE THE TITLES in black

Put your student number in the Header

Mainly use font size 12 and 1.5 line-spacing

Ensure you have ‘cited right’ acknowledging all sources using (single) quotation marks where appropriate

Check your word count is within the limit and proof read your work before submission

Layout:

•             You are allowed to use sub headings

•             Do not make paragraphs so short they appear more like bullet points 

Language:

•             clear, succinct, coherent expression, error free

•             spelling and grammar accurate and consistent

•             correct use of punctuation

•             effective  use of topic sentences and linking words to create a flow

•             students may use the first person, for example I interviewed…I felt ... I chose…. However they should ensure that their work does not become too descriptive, informal or conversational.

•             Restrict use of the first person to part two and the conclusion

Reflect on the process of conducting peer research involving a focus group

Include within the discussion an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of using focus groups, plus the skills, attributes and resources required and developed. Examine also the suitability of applying a similar process for collecting data from children and young people and how credible any resulting findings might be?

SUGGESTED BREAKDOWN

Introduction

 (approx. word  count 100)

•             Outline what is to follow in your essay

•             Be as brief as possible

•             Try not to repeat words

•             Demonstrate a breadth of vocabulary

•             Try and ‘whet the appetite’ of the reader

Part One: A review of the perceived value of the applied research method; according to literature

(approx word count 400)

You should cover:

•             At least one definition of the research method

•             Identified strengths and opportunities - including how and why this particular tool is often viewed positively and the circumstances where it is believed to work well

•             Recognised weaknesses and threats – including the perceived drawbacks and pitfalls.

You should avoid use of the first person in this section and make numerous references to literature

Part Two:  A review of the skills, attributes and resources required and developed

(approx word count 600)

You should cover:

•             What are some of the recognised competences, personality traits and resources that help facilitate the application of the research method?

•             What you learnt from your participation and how you felt?

•             To what extent you feel you have developed the skills and confidence to utilise this research tool in the future?

•             What you (now) consider to be vital ingredients to ensure similar research is conducted professionally?

•             What resources are likely to be needed for you to do so, and how might you prepare or access them?

•             How the skills acquired and developed, in relation to self-management, teamwork and professionalism, might prove beneficial in any future roles and responsibilities in the field of education and beyond?

•             What skills require further development and how might you go about this?

       TIP: Most reflective essays benefit from an honest appraisal and awareness of   areas for development. Exaggerated claims of strengths or an impression given of being beyond improvement are often seen as disingenuous or naïve.

Part Three:   A reflection on the suitability of applying a similar process for collecting data from children and young people and how credible any resulting findings might be?

(approx word count 700)

You should cover:

•             Examples of how a similar process has been, or could be, applied to collect data from children and young people on other educational topics?

•             How credible are any findings likely to be and why?

•             How are findings typically processed?

•             An appreciation of issues (and definitions) of reliability, validity and bias

•             To what extent are the views expressed likely to be representative of the wider population and to what degree this might matter?

•             Different perspectives on the value of  ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ data

•             How the method may or may not be particularly suitable for gathering information from children and young people?

•             What you could do to make the process more accessible to children and or young people?

•             An awareness of some of the risks involved

•             In particular possible behavioural and child protection issues, including the importance of obtaining informed consent and maintaining confidentiality, agreeing ground rules and the right to withdraw, and being aware of children and young people’s vulnerabilities and adults’ safeguarding responsibilities.

You should avoid use of the first person in this section and continue to make numerous references to literature

Conclusion

 (approx word count 200):

•             Provide a clear summary of themes addressed in all three parts

•             Indications of when, whether and why you might apply the method in the future

•             Do not include any surprises or references within the conclusion

Word Count

Between 1,800 and 2,200 words excluding references and appendices

Reference list

Should include all items referred to in your assignment

•             Wide ranging (including the core texts)

•             Does not over rely on websites

•             Follows academic conventions (Cite them Right)

Appendices:

•             All students are required to submit an appendix that evidences their engagement with this research process which you may want to make reference to within your essay

For example:

•             Question design (Research Schedule)

•             Presentation slides

•             Sample Transcript Thematic analysis

*             Gain permission from and credit your student colleagues, if submitting a collaborative presentation as an appendix (citing student numbers and not names)

*             Failure to heed this warning may result in breach of UEL regulations and serious consequences for offenders.