Assessment item 3
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Critical evaluation of two research articles
Value: 50%
Due Date: 03-Jun-2019
Return Date: 25-Jun-2019
Length: 2000 words
Submission method options: EASTS (online)
Task
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Critical Evaluation of two research articles (50 marks)
The critical evaluation should address the following questions for each of the two 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 (2007) as part of your answer.
• Identify and discuss one aspect of either validity or reliability of 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 current early childhood research. They have been selected because they use different research methods to investigate the topic of bilingualism. 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.
Assignment 2 and 3 are connected. 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 (2010) Understanding and evaluating educational research. This source is available in eReserve, and should be consulted as you prepare your assignment.
Copy and paste the links below 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 article you are writing about.
To access the articles, copy and paste the link into your web browser - Google Chrome or Firefox recommended.
Article 1: Piker, R.A. & Kimmel, M. (2016). Preparing young dual language learners for school success: early childhood teacher beliefs regarding school readiness, Early Child Development and Care.
https://ezproxy.csu.edu.au/login?url=https://doi-org.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/10.1080/03004430.2016.1261336
Article 2: Hu, J., Torr, J. & Whiteman, P. (2014). ‘Parents don’t want their children to speak their home language’: how do educators negotiate partnerships with Chinese parents regarding their children’s use of home language and English in early childhood settings?, Early Years, 34:3, 255-270.
https://ezproxy.csu.edu.au/login?url=https://doi-org.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/10.1080/09575146.2014.927419
Rationale
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This assessment task will assess the following learning outcome/s:
• identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in research in early childhood education.
• evaluate the appropriateness of different research approaches to investigating and addressing problems and questions 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.
• analyse and critique current research in early childhood education.
• recognise the importance of research informing children's services policy and practice.
• analyse and critique reports of research into early childhood education/practice;
• understand how research is influenced by political, economic and social forces in society.
• frame appropriate questions for the purpose of investigating or addressing problems or issues via action research in early childhood education.
Marking criteria and standards
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The following marking criteria will be used for assessment 3:
1. Critical Evaluation. (45 marks; 22.5 marks per article)
In order to pass criterion 1, 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.
2. Grammar and referencing (5 marks)
In order to pass criterion 2, 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 errors, are incomprehensible or organised chaotically will fail this criterion.
Marking rubric Assessment 3 EER413
Marking rubric Assessment 3 EER413 Critical evaluation of two research articles
Criteria Unsatisfactory Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction
(22.5 Marks) Quality of critical evaluation and reflection article 1. Not all of the evaluation questions were answered.
Some answers are incorrect
The quality of the answers shows little or no evidence of critical evaluation
None of the required referencing was used.

All evaluation questions were answered. However, more detail or explanation was needed.
The quality of the evaluative comments demonstrated some awareness of research issues and concepts.
Answers used some of the required references, but could have been used more extensively to support the evaluation.
All required evaluation questions were addressed, and with adequate detail or explanation.
The quality of the critical evaluation demonstrated a sound level of understanding of research issues and concepts.
Answers all used the required references.
Answers were adequately informed by the required references. All required evaluation questions were addressed, and with a good level of detail or explanation.
The quality of the critical evaluation demonstrated a strong understanding of research issues and concepts.
Answers all used the required references.
Answers were well informed by the required references. All required evaluation questions were addressed, and with an excellent level of detail or explanation.
The quality of the critical evaluation demonstrated an advanced understanding of research issues and concepts.
Answers all used the required references.
Answers were exceptionally well informed by the required references.

(22.5 Marks) Quality of critical evaluation and reflection article 2.
Not all of the evaluation questions were answered.
Some answers are incorrect
The quality of the answers shows little or no evidence of critical evaluation
None of the required referencing was used. All evaluation questions were answered. However, more detail or explanation was needed.
The quality of the evaluative comments demonstrated some awareness of research issues and concepts.
Answers used some of the required references, but could have been used more extensively to support the evaluation. All required evaluation questions were addressed, and with adequate detail or explanation.
The quality of the critical evaluation demonstrated a sound level of understanding of research issues and concepts.
Answers all used the required references.
Answers were adequately informed by the required references.. All required evaluation questions were addressed, and with a good level of detail or explanation.
The quality of the critical evaluation demonstrated a strong understanding of research issues and concepts.
Answers all used the required references.
Answers were well informed by the required references. All required evaluation questions were addressed, and with an excellent level of detail or explanation.
The quality of the critical evaluation demonstrated an advanced understanding of research issues and concepts.
Answers all used the required references.
Answers were exceptionally well informed by the required references
(5 Marks)
Grammar and organization

Answers cannot be understood
There are many typographical, grammatical or organisation errors Answers can be understood.
Several typographical, grammatical and organizational errors throughout the document. Answers can be readily understood.
Few typographical, grammatical and organizational errors throughout the document. Answers can be readily understood.
Very few typographical, grammatical and organizational errors throughout the document. Answers can be readily understood.
No typographical, grammatical and organizational errors.

APA Referencing Requirements not met: APA format is used incorrectly throughout. Requirements Met:
APA format is used correctly throughout.
Presentation
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Assessments must be 12-point font, one and a half line spacing. The assessment must also have a title page that includes the student's name, student number, subject code and assignment title. Please number all pages.