Part A
There are two main types of research studies that are conducted; quantitative and qualitative. According to Plano Clark and Creswell (2015), quantitative research “researchers analyze the data using mathematical procedures, including calculating statistics and plotting graphs” (p.66). Whereas, in qualitative studies, the data consists “of words and pictures, not numbers” (Clark & Creswell, 2015, p. 66).
Article Evaluation:
Link to article: Principles of Servant-Leadership in Community Health Nursing
Evaluation of the Statement of the Problem:
Table Evaluation System (Plano Clark & Creswell, 2015, p. 94)
Part B: Evaluation of the Literature Review
Table for Evaluation of the Literature Review (Plano Clark & Creswell, 2015, p. 144)
Part C – Evaluation of the Purpose Statement or Research Question
Table for Evaluation of the Purpose Statement (Plano Clark & Creswell, 2015, p.186)
Part D:
As a consumer of research reports, the most important aspects I need to consider in the introduction section of a high-quality research report are:
- Is the problem easily identifiable?
- Is it a real world issue?
- Is the topic clearly identified?
- What does the researcher want to do with the data?
This was a great exercise for me, as I can immediately apply it to helping students write simple thesis statements and to helping my students with their own proper citing and paraphrasing (the more I’m learning, the more I can bring back and share). I have found Plano Clark and Creswell (2015) to be an excellent reference source due to their detailed rubrics.
Question for the group:
Did anyone else find it extremely difficult to provide an actual grade of between 0 and 3? At times, I felt like I was the least qualified person to rate someone else’s scholarly paper when I know so little about writing them. I’m sure you’re not supposed give half marks, but I couldn’t help it! I felt at times like I was either being too generous or too harsh and found myself second guessing my original assessment. This was the complete opposite of how I am in my career. I am very confident in grading my own student’s work and helping them grade their work as well. It might sound weird, but it really becomes a reciprocal event where we learn from each other.
Please note that all of the evaluation tables in this blog post were referenced from Plano Clark and Creswell (2015).
References:
Plano-Clark, V. & Creswell, J. (2015). Understanding research: A consumer’s guide. (2nd Ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Sturm, B. A. (2009). Principles of servant-leadership in community health nursing: Management issues and behaviors discovered in ethnographic research. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 21(2), 82–89. https://ezproxy.student.twu.ca:2420/10.1177/1084822308318187
I enjoyed your creativity, and the simple way you adapted and organized the table. With your permission I would like to borrow it for future assignments.
It may be difficult to evaluate other people work that’s why we can blame it on Plano – Clark & Creswell (2015), they are the one responsible for our subjective objectivity. As you I had to give half- mark, and at some point I had to evaluate them criteria by criteria and find the average to give a grade.
I didn’t find it hard to quantify the paper perhaps because it’s not something I typically do in my day job. I don’t have any relationship with the authors and I don’t feel an emotional connection to their work, or feel a responsibility to give feedback directly. I tend to look at the big picture and what the research will be useful for.
Thank you for your response! Your post shows evidence of insights gained through the readings this week. Your evaluation of the three major sections of an introduction section of an article were very clear.
You have thoughtfully considered how your insights can contribute to your own leadership practice.
Well done!
Dr. Strong
Thank you Dr. Strong! I appreciate the feedback!
Thank YOU so much for your final comments! That is EXACTLY how I felt this week. I was trying to use the rubric, and initially thought it would be easy, but when the criteria did not seem to be met I struggled ranking some of the items as low as I did because I certainly do not feel qualified. I spent far too much time second guessing myself. Like you, there are areas of my work where I do not struggle providing a rating at all, but I am confident and experienced in those areas. Not so with this content.
It honestly did not even occur to me to use “half marks”. My brain just didn’t go there. Now I am curious and trying to reflect on why that is. However, I will follow up and say I did find it unfortunate that the text did not include an example of a table that was completed. Like you I gave a rating to each individual item because it appeared that the 0-3 was only valid for individual items and not as an “overall rating”. It would have been very helpful to see a table filled in so that the reader could have a better understanding of what should be in the “evidence/rationale”, or in the “overall assessment” box.
You have me intrigued by your comment that you help your students grade their work. As you know, I have two daughters in university, and one in Grade 12 – I have never heard them tell me that they have been required to grade themselves. The university students have had to grade their peers, and I know that they have chosen the route that is easiest – give a good grade in hopes of receiving a good grade in return. I think I would have hated it at the time, but after years of being a professional, it would have been extremely valuable to learn how to self-assess my performance in high school. Your students are very fortunate!