Assessment criteria:

1. Assessment criteria: • Identification of key elements in the given paper, with reference to theories of learning; • An evaluation of the trustworthiness of the research; • A discussion of the implications of author’s conclusions for education; • Correct HARVARD referencing; • Use of Academic English.

2. Trustworthiness The aim of trustworthiness in a qualitative inquiry is to support the argument that the inquiry’s findings are “worth paying attention to” (Lincoln & Guba, 1985, p.290). This is quite different from the conventional experimental precedent of attempting to show validity, soundness, and significance.

3. In any qualitative research, four issues of trustworthiness demand attention: credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.

4. Credibility - confidence in the 'truth' of the findings Credibility because of Prolonged Engagement Prolonged Engagement Definition • Spending sufficient time in the field to learn or understand the culture, social setting, or phenomenon of interest.  See http://www.qualres.org/HomeLinc-3684.html • This involves spending adequate time observing various aspects of a setting, speaking with a range of people, and developing relationships and rapport with members of the culture. • Development of rapport and trust facilitates understanding and co-construction of meaning between researcher and members of a setting.

5. Transferability is the degree to which the findings of this inquiry can apply or transfer beyond the bounds of the project.

6. Dependability - showing that the findings are consistent and could be repeated e.g through External audits • Definition • External audits involve having a researcher not involved in the research process examine both the process and product of the research study.  The purpose is to evaluate the accuracy and evaluate whether or not the findings, interpretations and conclusions are supported by the data. • The Positive Aspects of External Auditing • External audits are conducted to foster the accuracy or validity of a research study. • External audits provide an opportunity for an outsider to challenge the process and findings of a research study.  This can provide: • an opportunity to summarize preliminary findings • an opportunity to assess adequacy of data and preliminary results • important feedback that can lead to additional data gathering and the development of stronger and better articulated findings

7. Confirmability– This means that researchers must take steps to demonstrate that findings emerge from the data and not from their own predispositions or researcher bias i.e. that a degree of neutrality exists – How have the authors in the article addressed the issue of confirmability? Seehttp://www.qualres.org/HomeLinc-3684.html