Assignment Question
You need to upload two things to here: 1. A PDF of the research article you selected, annotated to highlight the key information about each question. 2. A document with your typed answers to the prompts below. (Mark number for each question)
Part 1. Select an article (10 PTS) Using an academic database, make sure the article you choose is published by a credible journal. Locate an article describing an empirical research study (2 POINTS) related to issues of equity and access in K-16 education (2 POINTS) that uses quantitative research methods (2 POINTS). The article must be published in a high quality peer-reviewed journal (3 POINTS), in or after 2010 (1 POINT). note: the title/abstract of your article does not need to include the words “equity and access”, that’s the general research topic. Similarly, it need not reference explicitly “K-16 education” (this just means you can review work from any level of the educational system). You may choose any article from a credible, high quality source that meets the requirement outlined above. Using an article that does not meet the requirements can substantially lower your grade in the exam.
Part 2. Review the article (40 PTS) Answer the questions below about the study described in the paper you selected. Be sure the article meets the requirements in Part 1 and provides sufficient detail to answer the questions. 1. Provide an APA-formatted reference for your article (4 PTS). 2. How do you know the article you selected is from a credible, high quality source? What key markers of journal credibility did you identify? Refer to class activity on journal credibility and be specific and thorough; saying it’s a “peer reviewed” journal is not enough (4 PTS). 3. What are the research question(s) the authors aim to answer in their study? Mark the PDF and paste a quotation and page numbers where the research questions are found (4 PTS). 4. Briefly summarize in your words what gap in the literature the study addresses. Mark the PDF and paste a quotation and page numbers where the author(s) point to this gap (4 PTS). 5. Does the study use primary or secondary data? Mark the PDF and paste one or more quotations and page numbers to justify your response (4 PTS). 6. What are the key variables involved in the study? Identify dependent and independent variables, and (if applicable)mediators/moderators and other variables. Mark the PDF and paste relevant quotations and page numbers where this information can be found (4 PTS). 7. Describe the quantitative design and analyses the authors usedto answer their questions. Be specific, what designs (e.g. descriptive, longitudinal, experimental, quasi-experimental…)and analyses (e.g. mean comparisons, correlations, regression, latent variables…)? Mark the PDF and paste 1+ quotations and page numbers to justify your response (4 PTS). 8. Briefly explain (one paragraph) which worldview(s) motivate this research. Include: o One or more quotations and page numbers to justify your response (2 PTS) and o One or more quotations from the Creswell & Creswell textbook (with page numbers) about the worldview(s)you selected (2 PTS). 9. Discuss how the authors consider the internal (2 PTS) and external (2 PTS) validity of their findings. Mark the PDF and paste quotations—or indicate if they are not considered in the paper (NOTE that authors often discuss causality or generalizability without using the exact words “internal validity” or “external validity”). 10. What limitations and unaddressed issues do the authors identify in their study? Mark the PDF and paste 1+ quotations and page numbers to justify your response (4 PTS).
Part 3. STTF Study Design (10 PTS) The UC is interested in studying the impact of the decision to end use of the SAT/ACT for admissions in 2020. Of particular interest are the concerns noted in the UC Standardized Testing Task Force (STTF) report about possible unintended negative effects on equity, access, or other relevant outcomes. Your group is tasked to design a study in this area. 1. Formulate a research question or questions you propose investigating empirically related to the issues detailed above. (You may build on question(s) posted to slack in class or discussion on 12/8, or develop new ones). Why are these questions important to address, and how are they related to the contents of the STTF report? (2 PTS) 2. Describe a research study you would conduct to offer evidence to address the research question above. Include: a. Information about research subjects, settings, and contexts where the study would be conducted (2 PTS). b. Research approach. Will you use quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods? What TYPE of approach from within those broad categories? (2 PTS) c. Key constructs or variables involved. Data collection methods and procedures (instruments, protocols…) (2 PTS) d. Are there any ethical research considerations around your study that would merit IRB review? (2 PTS)
