Month: January 2018

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Unit 4 Learning Activity 4.5

I have always enjoyed reading and research in general, but given other commitments and responsibilities, I no longer have an infinite amount of time to spend on research. Thus, there are several factors I use to determine if an article is worth exploring further a consumer of research reports, the most important things for me in the introduction section of a high-quality research paper are:

  • A clear and succinct abstract.
  • Well written, direct and to the point. If it is difficult to locate the topic, purpose, and intent of the study, then I will likely lose interest.
  • The authors must explain why it is relevant, necessary, and the implications of their study.

As Dr. Atha is commonly heard saying, “be substantive and succinct.” If the study is substantive but succinct, it will likely pique my interest, and I will explore it further.

Are you someone that will read the end of a book before you start or even finish it? Are you guilty of doing the same with research articles, skipping to the discussion, or implication, or conclusion? Is it fair to eliminate studies that could be valuable if the introduction is poor? Why? Why not? Is the level of research limited by the author’s writing ability?

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Unit 4 Learning Activity 4.4

Hunter, E.M., Neubert, M. J., Perry. S.J., Witt, L.A., Penny, L.M., & Weinberger, E. (2013). Servant leaders inspire servant followers: Antecedents and outcomes for employees and the organization. Leadership Quarterly, 24(2), 316-331.

Is the study’s purpose clearly specified?

No. The purpose is defined in the abstract and again later in the discussion section but not in the introduction. One can piece it together in the introduction, but it is not as clear and concise as it ought to be.

1/3

Is the focus of the study appropriate?

Yes, the researchers identify independent, dependent, and control variables. However, no confounding variables were defined or discussed.

2/3

Is the overall intent of the study appropriate?  

The ten hypothesis explained the intent.

2/3

Are the participants and the sites appropriate?

Yes, the researchers identify the participants and methods of the study which are both relevant to the study’s intent.

3/3

Is the purpose of the study narrowed through appropriate research questions and hypotheses?

The researchers formulated 10 hypothesis that individually was narrow, but taken together are broad.

2/3

Does the purpose of the study follow logically from the statement of the problem and the literature review?

Yes. The major variables, intent, theory, participants, and sites are well argued. However, the study failed to produce any new knowledge or profound perspectives in the area of servant leadership.

2/3

 

Is the purpose consistent with the study’s overall approach?

Yes, but they have ten hypotheses which creates  a broad and narrow aporach. One can’t help but think they were trying to do too much. Though, the study does answer the research question they asked, I see little value in the study. As mentioned in a previous blog, I was bored and saw little purpose to the study overall, which is reflected in my lower scores.

2/3

 

Total 14/21 – Adequate quality

 

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Unit 4 Learning Activity 4.3

Hunter, E.M., Neubert, M. J., Perry. S.J., Witt, L.A., Penny, L.M., & Weinberger, E. (2013). Servant leaders inspire servant followers: Antecedents and outcomes for employees and the organization. Leadership Quarterly, 24(2), 316-331.

Does the review include relevant literature?

Yes. The author’s literature review is comprehensive and is relevant to the study’s topic.

2/3

Does the review examine sources that are recent and of high quality?

Yes. It should be noted they included studies that were not recent but were relevant to the study and discussion to better understand the application of servant leadership and the influence on individual and group level.

2/3

Is the literature review documented properly?

I am far from an expert in APA, but from my limited knowledge and experience, I would say yes.  The various sources were correctly and consistently referenced, and relevant to the study.

3/3

Is the literature thoughtfully synthesized?

I found it difficult to follow – to be fair it has been a long week and the inability to focus is probably on me and not the writers. It would have benefitted from some form of a visual map. However, the literature discussed does make sense in the context of the study’s topic.

2/3

Is the literature critically examined?

Yes. The authors provided a clear overview of recent and old literature while identifying the current limitations in the literature which reinforced the need and the purpose of their study.

3/3

Does the study have a strong foundation in the literature?

Yes. The authors were able to support the importance of their study based on the current literature. The study’s problem, purpose, and methods are connected and informed by the literature. I did not see a need for the study as I did not think it would reveal anything we did not already know regarding servant leadership.

2/3

Does the literature fit the study’s overall approach?

Yes. It is a qualitative approach, they authors justified the problem, identified the variables and provided the framework for which they would compare their findings to their initial hypothesis.

2/3

Total 15/21 – Adequate quality

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Unit 4 Learning Activity 4.2

Hunter, E.M., Neubert, M. J., Perry. S.J., Witt, L.A., Penny, L.M., & Weinberger, E. (2013). Servant leaders inspire servant followers: Antecedents and outcomes for employees and the organization. Leadership Quarterly, 24(2), 316-331.

Is the topic interesting?

Yes, for those that desire to lead, an article that discusses leadership ought to be of interest.

2/3

Is there a meaningful problem?

Yes, understanding how servant leadership influences outcomes at different levels of an organization could provide mangers valuable information on how to apply principles of servant leadership.

2/3

Is the importance of the problem justified?

The researchers review the previous literature and identify the lack of research on the application of servant leadership and provide arguments on why they feel it is necessary.

2/3

Are there deficiencies in the knowledge about the problem?

Yes.

2/3

Is an audience identified and are there specific examples of how the audiences can use the missing knowledge?

Yes, they briefly mention how the study would benefit scholars and managers. They could have been more specific.

2/3

Does the passage clearly argue that the study is warranted?

Yes, but I am not convinced the study will find anything we don’t all ready know – servant leadership creates a positive influence, a climate of care, support, and trust, one should not be surprised that employees would be motivated and less likely want to leave in such an environment.

1/3

Is the passage well written?

It was not terrible, but it was not great. To be honest, I was somewhat bored and struggled to get through it, but that might be a reflection of myself and not the authors and their writing.

2/3

Total 13/21 – Adequate quality.

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Learning Activity 3.5

Direct quote less than 40 words with proper in-text citation:

McLeskey et al (2012) explain, “CES developed and implemented a highly effective and inclusive program with little outside assistance, and no additional resources other than those that are typically available to local schools.” (p. 68)

Direct quote more than 40 words with proper in-text citation:

The criteria used to select the participating elementary school:

A setting in which students with disabilities were included in general education classrooms at a level that was well above the local district and state averages, and achievement levels for students with disabilities and those who struggle in core content areas (reading and mathematics) that were well above district and state averages. (McLeskey et al., 2012, p. 60)

Paraphrased with proper in-text citation:

The authors identified six themes through investigation that fall into two overarching categories: (a) Student Support and Instructional Quality and (b) Administrative and Organizational Features. The six themes found through the study were: (1) meeting the needs of all students, (2) delivering high-quality instruction, (3) immersing teachers in professional development, (4) flexible and efficient use of resources, (5) shared decision making, and (6) using data to drive everything. Themes 1 – 3 cover Student support and instructional quality, and 4 – 6 administrative and organizational features. (McLeskey et al., 2012, p. 62 – 68)

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Unit 3 Learning Activity 3.4

References

Hierck, T., & Williams, K. C. (2015). Starting a Movement: Building Culture from the Inside Out in Professional Learning Communities. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press

Howlett, K. (2018, January 19) McGuinty’s former aide Livingston found guilty of destroying documents about gas plant cancellations. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/mcguinty-aide-found-guilty-of-destroying-documents-in-gas-plant-trial/article37669957/

Klausen, C. (2015). Autonomy and Moral Obligation: People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities. UWSpace. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/9805

Linkletter, J. ( 2018, January 14). Unit 2 Learning Activity 2.5 [Web log Comment]. Retrieved from https://create.twu.ca/furtherupfurtherin/2018/01/15/unit-2-learning-activity-2-5/

Mcleskey, J., Waldron, N. L., & Redd, L. (2012). A case study of a highly effective, inclusive elementary school. The Journal of Special Education, 48(1), 59-70. doi:10.1177/0022466912440455

Department of National Defence. (2017) Departmental Results Report 2016 – 17. Retrieved from the Department of National Defense website: www.forces.gc.ca/assets/FORCES_Internet/docs/en/about-reports-pubs/drr-2016-17_dnd_english_-final-30-oct-_-web-site.pdf

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Unit 2 Learning Activity 2.5

According to my wife, I enjoy “fiddling with gadgets.” Which is true, and I appreciate technology, but I do not enjoy reading anything on a computer screen with the sole exception being anything related to my fantasy hockey team. I despise reading articles and books on a computer, iPad, or kindle, but given my location, my cheapness reluctance to buy a printer, and the nature of research I have little choice. I envision research being like the scene in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, where Gandalf, with a drink in his hand and a pipe in his mouth is pouring through papers revealing the stories of yesteryears.

I tend to be stubborn and stuck in my ways. I have significant experience with JSTOR, Academic Search Premier, E-Journals from Ebsco, ATLA Religion Database, Philosopher’s Index, and Sage Journals Online. As an undergrad my personal favourite was JSTOR, I have fond memories downloading abstracts, articles, and printing them on other people’s printers without a worry in the world, ignorant to the cost of ink cartridges. Those were the days.

As I embark on this new journey of research, I will rely on scholarly articles, e-books, and any relevant conference I can attend. To effectively locate relevant material I will rely on the databases I am most familiar with but will also use Google Scholar and OneSearch.

To ensure the credibility of my sources, I will rely on the following questions:

–          Who wrote it?

–          Is it current?

–          Why did the author write it?

–          How was the article or book published? Is it peer reviewed?

–          What are the presuppositions of the author?

Once you have determined if a source is credible, one must also determine if it is reliable and adds value to your research. To do so, one must examine the book or article itself. Does it provide accurate information? Does the conclusion follow from the premises? Does the evidence support the conclusion? These are just some of the questions one must ask as they determine the reliability of a source.  Arguments can take different forms, arguments by example, arguments by analogy, arguments by authority, arguments about cause, and then there are deductive and inductive arguments. Depending on the argument the researcher must understand what questions to ask to determine if the book or article is valid and relevant to the current discussion.

Unit 2 Learning Activities

 

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Unit 2 Learning Activity 2.4

Moving the Classroom Outdoors: Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning in Action

Author:

Herbert W. Broda, Ph.D. is a professor emeritus of education at Ashland University in Ohio where he teaches courses with a focus on middle school education, instructional methods, and outdoor education at both the graduate and undergraduate level.

Is the source up to date?

Yes, it was published in 2011.

What are the intentions of the author? Who is the intended audience?

Moving the Classroom Outdoors: Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning in action builds on his first book, Schoolyard-Enhanced learning, published in 2006. Broda wrote Moving the Classroom Outdoors to provide teachers and school administrators practical ideas how they can enhance the learning experience of their students by using the whole school, both inside and outdoors. Broda provides helpful ideas, tips, and guides for schools in an urban, suburban, or rural setting. The book discusses the use of technology and how to integrate technology into outdoor education to enhance student experience and learning.

Publication type/Process – Who published the article? Was the article peer reviewed?

It was published by Stenhouse Publishers located in Portland, Maine.  Stenhouse provides professional development resources for educators to inspire independent, critical, and creative thinking in their students.

Are there any obvious biases and/or special interests that the author acknowledges?

The contents of the book were developed through Broda’s experience as an elementary school teacher, his work at Ashland University, and countless conversations with teachers, administrators, students, and through a partner with schools across North America to develop an outdoor education program to inspire students and connect them with nature.

 

References

Broda, H. W. (2011). Moving the Classroom Outdoors: Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning in Action. http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/detail/detail?vid=3&sid=36d677b2-4b7c-4c12-924c-c43e37e2ae3d%40sessionmgr4006&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=e000xna&AN=375985

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Unit 2 Learning Activity 2.3

The Impact of Wilderness Therapy: Utilizing an Integrated Care Approach

Authors:

Anita Tucker, PhD, LICSW is an Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire. She is also the Chair of Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group of Association for Experiential Education (AEE).

Christine Lynn Norton, PhD, LCSW is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Texas State University. She is also a member of the AEE Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group’s Leadership Council, and a Research Scientist with the Outdoor Behavioural Healthcare Center.

Steven M. DeMille, PhD, LCMHC, is the Research Director and therapist at RedCliff Ascent, and Outdoor Behavioural Healthcare program.

Jessalyn Hobson is a graduate student at the University of New Hampshire in the dual masters program in Social Work and Kinesiology: Outdoor Education.

Is the source up to date?

Yes, it was first published in 2015.

What are the intentions of the author? Who is the intended audience?

The article is for mental health professionals and others that are concerned with the physical and mental development and well being of adolescence. The authors examine the changes in body composition of youth taking part in wilderness therapy along with mental health outcomes.

Publication type/Process – Who published the article? Was the article peer reviewed?

The article was published through the Journal of Experiential Education, which is peer-reviewed scholarly journal covering a broad range of topics such as “outdoor adventure programming, service learning, environmental education, therapeutic applications, research and theory, the creative arts, and much more.” (http://www.aee.org/jee)

Are there any obvious biases and/or special interests that the author acknowledges?

The authors of the study acknowledged potential biases or conflict of interest as Steven DeMille is employed by RedCliff Ascent, where the date was collected. However, DeMille was not involved in the collection or analyzes of data.

 

References

Tucker, A., Norton, C. L., DeMille, S. M., & Hobson, J.. (2015) The Impact of Wilderness Therapy: Utilizing an Integrated Care Approach. Journal of Experiential Education, 39 (1), 15 – 30. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053825915607536
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Learning Activity 1.2

The primary factors that influence my decision-making process as a leader are:

·       Personal beliefs and values

o   Is my decision consistent and faithful to my faith in Christ?

·       Mission, vision, and value statement of the organization

o   Does my decision align with the mission, vision, and values of the organization?

·       Research

o   Is my decision in line with best practices? Can relevant evidence support my decision?

·       The Big Picture

o   Does my decision support the overall growth of the organization and our collective goals?

One’s worldview influences their decision-making process, the questions they ask and how they attempt to answer them whether they realize it or not. Everyone holds certain biases or beliefs that blind influence them. For example, within the field of psychology and the scientific community, you will find many presuppositions consistent with an atheistic naturalistic worldview. I hold beliefs and biases that influence my decisions.

I believe the metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical understanding presented by the Christian worldview provides the foundation of all knowledge, both rational and empirical while offering a theory of ethics founded on objective principles. My beliefs influence:

·       How I interact with staff, students, and parents

·       My belief every student can function at a high level

·       My ability to tolerate those I disagree with

What are the presuppositions of your organization? What worldview are they consistent with? How do they influence the culture of the organization? Is there a tension between your worldview and your organization’s?