Quick recap of Golf and TeemuBall!

see .pdf in The Document Repository.

This is a topic and skill you’ve already been shown

Review these materials and consider your performance of the assessment, and any feedback

This year Critical Analysis has a ‘point’

The objective of the Critical Proposal is that you start to deploy the tools you have practiced in the service of your Mini-Dissertations.

A ‘practical’ exercise, which we are giving feedback to once… but that you will do multiple times for your Mini-Dissertation.

GOAL: to develop some aspect of your study design or methodology.

You will probably follow this process ‘a few times’ for your final year dissertation!

The Four ‘Big’ Validities

Internal Validity: The degree to which an experiment accurately assesses variable relationships without interference from confounding factors.

External Validity: The degree to which study results can be applied to different populations or settings, indicating generalizability.

Construct Validity: The evaluation of whether a test effectively measures the intended theoretical construct using multiple indicators.

Statistical Validity: The assessment of whether statistical methods used in data analysis yield accurate conclusions from the data.

https://opentext.wsu.edu/carriecuttler/chapter/experimentation-and-validity/

Reading list items (Barber 2002; 2004)

Let’s look at the example from last week

How do I do it? [one approach]

Review literature on a key part of your ‘puzzle’ (an IV, a ‘tool’, the DV etc)

Apply critical evaluation to carefully chosen paper(s)

Consider how it might realistically guide or inform your own research

Identify a procedure to partially replicate, replicate, or replicate and extend/improve

Detail how that takes shape and reflect on your confidence, skill base, perception of value

or

You could approach it strategically as a group.

Identify areas to take ownership of, then divide and conquer!

Or fly solo and agree to later apply the same process to a mutually beneficial part of your study

Briefing and Rubric

Briefing

Rubric

Please follow the suggested outline

More tips

• Please review the “SUGGESTED ESSAY OUTLINE” in the coursework briefing
• No need to follow it roboticly, be strategic & selective in terms of details
• Selection of a ‘good’ paper to focus on is an integral part of the assessment!
• Do you think the first google result will be a fruitful paper? No, of course you don’t!
• Use your Lab Tutor and me to get a sense of confidence. Early.
• Tell us how you are searching and what you are looking for
• Confirm the paper with us in a lab session [Priority given for this]

Even more tips

• Use some of the tools presented in the previous lab activity to help track down a suitable paper

• Give yourself time to read, review, re-read and select your juiciest points

• Avoid any discussion of methodologies that cannot inform your study directly

  • e.g. Clinical diagnostic procedures, fMRI technicalities, Criminal Record or Case Study review procedures

You can (will) use LOTS of this in your MD!

This isn’t a sidetrack exercise. It’s a critical step in your project

Note your references, note your main points, be organised

Weeks 4 & 5

Talking about Variables and the 3 ‘flavours’ of ANOVA in week 4

Week 5 is ‘power calculations’ and opportunity to discuss CP before submission

But we will be moving on and the CP will be part of your independent study

Same opportunities for RASA submissions/summer deferrals & re-submissions