Applied Sciences Signature Assignment

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Research Question

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Research Question

Research Question: Can scaffolding improve reading among grade 2 early childhood learners with low reading achievement?

The above research question can be studied using a single case design research because it targets a specific population. Single case design takes an evaluative approach to determine the success of a treatment or an intervention on a selected group, individuals or community so as to give evidence about the effectiveness of an intervention in general by using a sample size that is small and manageable (Kratochwill, 2015). In the above research question, the selected intervention is scaffolding which refers to the support provided to a child with reading and literacy problems and reduced as the child achieves the ability to independently execute the desired behavior. Scaffolding is rooted on the notion that regular interaction between a child and an adult or a teacher with emphasis on the achievement of desired behavior leads to improved performance in the behavior (Salem, 2017).

From the proposed research question the independent variable is the grade of the children. In this proposal, the study will focus on grade 2 children because they are expected to achieve certain reading milestones by the time, they enter the grade level. Independent variable for this proposal can therefore be defined as follows: A child in grade 2 should have a high reading achievement that is equivalent to the reading milestones of learners in the same grade. The dependent variable in this proposal is the reading achievement which can either be measured as high or low depending on the problem experienced by a learner thus calling for the need of an intervention which is scaffolding. Internal validity of the study will be improved by thoroughly identifying and selecting grade 2 learners with genuine reading problems. Additionally, the sample size will be reduced to enhance accuracy in data collection and analysis.

References

Kratochwill, T. R. (2015). Single-case research design and analysis: An overview.
single-case Research Design and Analysis (psychology Revivals), 1-14.

Salem, A. A. M. S. (2017). Scaffolding Reading Comprehension Skills.
English Language Teaching,
10(1), 97-111.

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Description of the Study

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Description of the Study

The proposed study seeks to establish whether scaffolding can improve reading among grade 2 early childhood learners with low reading achievement. The measurable independent variable of the study is scaffolding which is the intervention. The variable is measured in terms of reading milestones that children are supposed to achieve by the time they attain the grade. The measurable dependent variable in the study is the reading achievement which can either be high or low. Low reading achievement among grade 2 early childhood learners calls for an intervention through scaffolding. The value of a dependent variable in a study is subject to the changes in the independent variable (Kratochwill, 2015).

Description of Single Case Design

Single case design utilizes visual analysis for the purpose of systematic comparison of the behavior of the research participants prior to an intervention and after an intervention. Behavior change that is evident after the application of an intervention is a clear indication that an intervention is effective. Single case design is used for an individual, group, groups, or community of participants (Kratochwill, 2015). A single participant can be recruited, and an intervention is applied in the case problem of the selected participant (Kratochwill, 2015). In this particular study, a group of children with reading difficulties in grade 2 will be selected to participate in the research process.

The procedures for the study will involve identifying the problem that needs the intervention. In this case, the problem is low reading achievement among a group of grade 2 students. Children in second grade should attain a number of reading milestones that include ability to apply contexts and pictures when figuring unfamiliar words, apply common punctuation and capitalization when writing, identify and read familiar words, use drawings to show story comprehension, and ability to correct themselves when they make mistakes during reading (Guernsey & Levine, 2015).

After identifying what the learners are expected to achieve, their performance in these milestones will be assessed to determine whether they have low or high achievements. The next procedure will entail designing a scaffolding intervention that will help in enhancing the achievement of each of the milestones. The process will be repeated for each of the five learners for a period of 6 weeks. The interventionist will record the performance of each learner based on how they respond with the application of the intervention. The recorded data will be analyzed, and the results of the study will be considered for generalizability and application in similar cases. To ensure internal validity in a single case design it is important to ensure that the intervention applied, and the dependent variable all change together. For instance, in this case, it will be important to determine that any change in a scaffolding approach brings a corresponding change in the learners’ reading achievements. Another way of ensuring internal validity in this type of study is by selecting participants who match the problem to be studied. For instance, in this study, the five selected learners will be properly assessed to make sure that they have the problem of low reading achievement that are consistent with listed milestones.

The current study meets the criteria for research because the research problem has been clearly defined. The study embraces the fact low reading achievement in grade 2 learners is a problem that needs an intervention through scaffolding. The study has well outlined procedures for the research which can be replicated in a similar study. The procedure has been carefully planned to produce objective results. These are the considerations that make the study meet the criteria for research.

References

Guernsey, L., & Levine, M. H. (2015).
Tap, click, read: Growing readers in a world of screens. John Wiley & Sons.

Kratochwill, T. R. (2015). Single-case research design and analysis: An overview.
single-case Research Design and Analysis (psychology Revivals), 1-14.