GOAL: The purpose of this study analysis is for you to attempt to identify discriminating characteristics of the different types of research methods.
OBSERVABLE LEARNING: You will have used the language of research in your articulation of the study and make reference to the course readings.
Here is the format that should be used for your study critique. The paper should be written in APA style, not to exceed three pages. Be precise with your analysis of the components of the study and your reflections.
Part I: Article Identification (4 pts.)
The full citation of the article (in APA format) should be listed first. Use
.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/”> to be sure you have followed proper APA style.
Part II: What was found (5 pts. total; 1 pt. per bullet below)
This section should contain the following information in no more than three paragraphs:
The rationale behind the study (the broad area that was being studied)
The objective of the study (what did the researchers set out to find?)
The method(s) used in the study
The findings of the study
The authors conclusions
Part III: Your reflection (21 pts. total; 3 pts. per bullet below)
This section should address the following issues:
Was the paper clearly written? Did the authors/researchers clarify key vocabulary related to the research topic or question?
What were pros and cons of the research method(s) that was/were used?
Was the topic significant and relevant to education? Why/why not?
What problems do you see with the obtained results? Are there confounding variables or other issues that werent taken into account when the study was designed?
What questions remain unanswered?
Could these aforementioned questions have been answered in this study with a better research design?
What research logically follows from the current study (What is the next step) ?
My topic is what the effects of electronic games on children?
(Educational video game 😉
Given the extent to which some children seem motivated, engaged and successful at this type of play.
Please make study critique like this example:
Qualitative Article Critique
Article: Hyatt, Laurie. (2010). A Case Study of the Suicide of a Gifted Female Adolescent: Implications for Prediction and Prevention.Journal for the education of the gifted, 33(4), 514-535,629.
Throughout history students have been bullied and harassed in schools. Up until the past decade or less, some incidents have become local and national news. However, most cases still go unnoticed, yet all still impact the lives of those involved in drastic ways. Some of these ways include taking ones life. The researcher of this article, Hyatt, chose to do a case study based on the suicide of an eighteen year old gifted female student. Hyatt not only investigated the suicide, but also the personal, environmental, and cultural variables that may have contributed to her suicide (Hyatt, 2011. p. 514-515). The overall purpose of this study was to discover the reasons behind why this young girl decided to take her own life.
When the Hyatt began her research, her goal was to do a case study on an adolescent gifted female student. The girl chosen committed suicide at the age of eighteen. The girl was called Amber in the article. Amber had a high IQ, high test scores, recognized as most intelligent in school, and took gifted classes (Hyatt, 2011, p. 519-520). Other participants in the study included Ambers family. With the help of Ambers family, Hyatt gathered several pieces of data over a one year period. The data included interviews between Hyatt and the family members and miscellaneous documents (photographs, drawings, papers, and poems). In addition, video tapes documenting Ambers life were provided, as well as other artifacts (e.g., pottery and trophies) (Hyatt, 2011, p. 514, 519-520). Through the data, Hyatt hoped to discover the thoughts, feelings, and actions that made Amber bring her life to such a drastic end (Hyatt, 2011, p. 514).
Once all the data was collected and analyzed, Hyatt discussed four specific findings. First, Amber was bullied, rejected, and misunderstood by her peers; resulting in feelings of frustration, anger, and unhappiness. Second, Amber contemplated committing suicide for seven years and discussed when and how to do it with peers. Third, Amber was a perfectionist and put alot of pressure on herself. This caused low self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth. Last, Amber had very little trust in adults.docx#_msocom_1″>[1] and did not reach out to any for help (Hyatt, 522-523). These findings are believed to be the reasons behind Amber taking her life. Hyatt concluded thatwith steps, one can take to prevent suicide among students. First, meaningful relationships.docx#_msocom_2″>[2] at home and school and atmospheres of emotional safety and trust need to be established. Second, educators must teach empathy and that self-worth is defined by our differences. Last, teachers, students, and parents must be educated on the effects of bullying and preventitive steps that can be taken (Hyatt, 2011, p. 530-531).
I found this article to be well-written and easy to follow. The author used a narrative style that made the article a quick read. The introduction and the literature review also provided the reader with enough background knowledge to make the data, findings, and conclusions easy to understand and interpret.
There were more cons than pros to the research methods used in this case study. I thought that interviewing family and collecting videos, documents, and other artifacts was a pro because it provided the researcher with background information on who the subject was, what she was like, and what she went through. However, those being her only sources of data can also be seen as a con. The data provided information on what happened to the girl, but it still does not provide an actual reason as towhy Amber committed suicide. No matter what kind of data is collected, one will never know what was going on in Ambers head and why she did what she did. I believe another con in the methods of this study was the authors choice to study someone who was already deceased..docx#_msocom_3″>[3] How can we truly get to know someone without interacting with them?
I feel that the methods of who was studied and how they were studied could be improved if the researcher chose to study a living person. If Hyatt wanted to know the thoughts behind why a student, gifted or not, would want to commit suicide, studying a living person would provide better answers. Hyatt could collect the same data she did for this study, but she could also interview students who tried to commit suicide but failed, or interview students who are currently being bullied and contemplating suicide. .docx#_msocom_3″>[3] I believe this would be a more authentic research method and provide more insight as to why students would choose the path of death. We are more likely to understand what a student is going through, what they are feeling, and what they are thinking if we hear it straight from them.
I did not see any problems with the obtained results/findings of this study. Hyatt had complete control of her study and what she collected for data; therefore, none of the variables were changed or compromised. I also agree with the information provided in Hyatts conclusion. First, I agree that as educators we must create a trusting and meaningful relationship with our students and provide them with a safe and comfortable learning environment. Second, I think it is important for us to teach, model, and encourage empathy and the importance of respecting ourselves and one another no matter our differences. Last, and most important, I believe that as educators it is our responsibility to educate ourselves on what bullying is, the signs, and the preventions we can take.
Despite being an easy read, providing the reader with a lot of background information, and a thorough explanation of results, I feel there are questions left unanswered. First, after reading this article I wonder, what are some bullying preventions we can put into place in our schools and classrooms? Also, Hyatts research discovered the signs of Ambers suicide after it happened, so what are some of the signs of suicide and bullying we should watch for? Lack of trust, bullying, low self-worth are some reasons behind wanting to commit suicide, but what are some other possible causes or reasons a student might commit suicide?
If this study were to bere-done (qualitative studies cannot be replicated) or it had followed a different research design, I believe the above questions could be answered. If Hyatt had studied suicide survivors or current victims of bullying, we.docx#_msocom_4″>[4] could answer the questions of what the signs are and what other reasons are behind suicide. In addition, it would have been beneficial to get teacher and administrative input on what they see in schools in terms of bullying and effective bullying preventions they use in their school and classrooms.
Now that this study is complete, I believe that the next step is to conduct further case studies on students, male and female, gifted and talented or not, that have been bullied, are being bullied, have had suicidal thoughts, and have failed at suicide. I think that the only way to really understand why students do what they do, think what they think, and feel how they feel is to study them personally before or during a situation as opposed to when it is too late. In addition, I believe another step is to study schools.docx#_msocom_5″>[5] and the steps they are taking to prevent bullying.
Hyatt also discussed where she could take this study next. Like me, she suggested interviewing those who have attempted suicide. In addition, she discussed also interviewing students who have had friends die of suicide (Hyatt, 2011, p.529). However, I am unsure how interviewing the friends would provide us with any new insight as to why the student committed suicide.
Danielle, very interesting topic. I have found this study and I plan to read it. You covered all of the aspects of the critique. Well-done! 30/30
