Article review of Dissertation papers.pptx

Reviews of Dissertations

1. KOTEBE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION FACULTY OF LANGUAGES AND HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE Programme: DEd in ELT (Doctor of Education in ELT ) Course Name: Doctoral Research Seminar in ELT (ELT 804 ) Individual Assignment on a Dissertation Review Dissertation Title : The Renewal Process of the 2008/9 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Secondary School Curriculum , conducted by Dagne Kebede at AAU By: Dula Sanbato June, 2024 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2. Contents Contents reviewed: Abstract Introduction The Methodology Data Analysis, Finding and Discussion Summary, Conclusion, Recommendations and Implications References Overall Summary

3. Review of Abstract The abstract of Dagne Kebede’s dissertation briefly summarizes the main focus, methodology, and findings of the study. It provides a clear overview of the research on the renewal process of the 2008/9 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) secondary school curriculum in Ethiopia . Key elements include : Research Focus : The abstract identifies the main objective of the study, which is to examine the process of curriculum renewal for EFL at the secondary school level. Methodology : It briefly describes the qualitative case-study design employed, mentioning the use of semi-structured interviews and document analysis as primary data collection methods.

4. Cont’d Findings : The abstract highlights the main findings, including insights into the decision-making process, challenges faced, and the effectiveness of the renewal process. Conclusions and Recommendations : It touches upon the practical implications and the recommendations provided for improving the EFL curriculum renewal process . In short , effective in summarizing the essence of the dissertation, giving readers a concise summary of the research without delving into excessive detail. This makes it an informative and accessible for potential readers.

5. 1.1. Introduction The introduction of the dissertation provides an extensive overview of the context and significance of curriculum development within the Ethiopian education system under the Background of the study . It covers the historical background and current challenges, emphasizing the need for an effective curriculum to improve educational outcomes . The introduction sets the stage for the study by highlighting the gaps in current practices and the potential impact of the research on policy and practice. ​

6. R eview on Statement of the Proble m The problem statement clearly identifies the shortcomings in Ethiopia's current curriculum development processes . It points out the misalignment between educational goals and curriculum content, as well as the insufficient involvement of key stakeholders in the development process. This section effectively establishes the rationale for the study and frames the research questions that guide the investigation . In this dissertation, the problem is identified through a detailed analysis of the existing curriculum development processes and their inadequacies , particularly in aligning with the theoretical and practical demands of effective language education .

7. Objectives of the Study One significant strength of this section is its comprehensiveness . The specific objectives cover a wide range of aspects crucial to understanding the curriculum renewal process , from needs assessment to the pedagogical techniques underlying the curriculum . By doing so, the study promises a thorough investigation into the EFL curriculum's development, ensuring that all pertinent factors are considered. This holistic approach is essential for producing meaningful and actionable insights .

8. Cont’d There are some weaknesses in this section. While the objectives are comprehensive, they could benefit from a more detailed explanation of how each objective will be achieved. For instance, specifying the methods or approaches to be used in addressing each objective could provide more depth and clarity . Additionally , the objectives could be more briefly stated to improve readability. Currently, the list is somewhat lengthy , which might overwhelm readers and obscure the primary goals of the research.

9. Review of Research Methodology The research design adopted in this study is qualitative, aiming to explore the EFL curriculum renewal process in Ethiopia. The use of a case study design further allows for an intensive investigation of the phenomenon within a specific context, which in this case is the Ethiopian Ministry of Education ( MoE ) during the year 2008/9 . The sample for this study primarily consists of curriculum experts at the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, selected through a purposive sampling technique . The selection criteria ensure that the participants have first-hand knowledge and experience relevant to the study's objectives, which enhances the reliability and depth of the findings.

10. Cont’d The dissertation employs various data collection instruments , including semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and observations . Semi-structured interviews are particularly suitable for qualitative research as they allow for flexibility and in-depth exploration of participants' perspectives. Document analysis and observations complement the interviews by providing additional context and verifying the information gathered . The data collection procedures are precisely detailed, outlining how each instrument is employed to gather relevant data.

11. Cont’d The data analysis is conducted using thematic analysis, which is appropriate for qualitative research. This method involves identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns within the data. The researcher provides a clear explanation of how themes are derived and how they relate to the research questions and objectives, ensuring a coherent and thorough analysis. Even though the pilot study results offer preliminary insights into the effectiveness of the research instruments and the feasibility of the study, it has its own strengths and Weaknesses .

12. Strengths and Weaknesses of Pilot Study Strengths The pilot study was well-planned and executed. It involved a systematic approach where the interviews were conducted, transcribed, and translated into English. The pilot study confirmed the feasibility of the overall research design, including the data collection and analysis methods. The pilot study highlighted specific areas where the interview protocol could be improved. For instance, it was found that some questions were too specific and elicited brief responses.

13. Cont’d Weaknesses The pilot study primarily focused on qualitative methods. Incorporating some quantitative elements, such as surveys or pre-test and post-test evaluations, could have provided additional data to validate the interview protocols and research design more strongly. Although the dissertation mentions ethical considerations for the main study, it is not explicitly clear if these were rigorously applied during the pilot phase. In short, the study could benefit from a broader scope, inclusion of quantitative measures, and clearer ethical considerations during the pilot phase.

14. Data analysis, Findings and Discussions Data Analysis The data analysis process involves six phases: familiarization with the data, generating initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and producing the report​. This structured approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the curriculum renewal process, allowing the researcher to delve deeply into the qualitative data . One strength of this section is its detailed description of each phase of thematic analysis , providing clarity on how the data was handled and interpreted . This enhances the credibility and transparency of the research. The use of coding to identify significant data segments ensures that the analysis is systematic and replicable. Additionally, integrating findings from document analysis with interview data corroborates the results, adding strength to the conclusions drawn .

15. Cont’d Weaknesses However , the section could benefit from more explicit examples of how specific themes were identified and defined from the data. Including more direct quotes from the interview transcripts and documents could illustrate the coding and thematic development process more vividly. This would help readers better understand how the raw data was transformed into meaningful themes.

16. Findings One strength of this section is the integration of interview data with literature, allowing the researcher to compare and contrast findings with existing studies and theories. This not only situates the research within a broader academic context but also validates the findings. Nevertheless, while the findings are detailed, the section could improve by synthesizing the key insights more clearly at the end of each theme. This would help to highlight the most critical findings and their implications for the curriculum renewal process.

17. Discussions This section's strength lies in its critical analysis and the connections drawn between the data and broader educational theories. The discussion highlights the practical implications of the findings, such as the importance of involving a diverse range of stakeholders in curriculum development and the need for ongoing needs analysis to ensure the curriculum remains relevant. On the other hand, the discussion could be strengthened by more explicitly addressing the limitations of the study and their impact on the findings . A more detailed consideration of alternative interpretations of the data and how they might influence the conclusions would also enhance the strength of this section.

18. Summary, Conclusions, Recommendations, and Implications Summary The summary highlights key findings such as the involvement of experienced curriculum experts, the contextual factors driving curriculum renewal, the basis for content selection, and the recommended teaching methodologies and assessment strategies . Conclusions The conclusions drawn in this section effectively distill the study's findings into clear insights about the 2008/9 EFL curriculum renewal process. It concludes that the renewal was influenced by various contextual factors, including the need for content relevance, alignment with government policies, and the introduction of a student-centered communicative language teaching approach.

19. Cont’d Recommendations The recommendations are practical and grounded in the study's findings. They include suggestions for more thorough piloting of curriculum materials, continuous professional development for teachers to align their practices with curriculum goals, and the need for ongoing evaluation and feedback mechanisms to ensure the curriculum meets educational objectives. It aims to address the identified gaps and improve future curriculum renewal processes.

20. Implications The implications section is divided into practical and further study implications . For practice , it suggests that curriculum developers should consider a more iterative and inclusive approach, involving teachers and other stakeholders more comprehensively . For further study , it recommends examining the long-term impacts of the curriculum changes on student outcomes and teacher practices, as well as exploring the feasibility of integrating more localized content into the curriculum . In short, the dissertation effectively identifies key areas for improvement and offers practical recommendations. However, the study could benefit from a broader participant base and the insertion of pilot testing to ensure the strength and applicability of its findings.

21. References The reference list includes a wide range of materials such as books, journal articles, dissertations, and government publications. This diversity provides a robust foundation for the dissertation, supporting the multifaceted analysis required for curriculum studies. Many of the cited works are well-regarded in the field of education. For instance, seminal works by Bruner (1960, 1990) on educational theory and Connelly and Lantz (1991) on curriculum definitions are included, enhancing the dissertation's credibility . As a weakness, there are some inconsistencies in the formatting of references. For instance, while most references follow a standard citation format, a few entries are not uniformly formatted, which could affect the readability and professional appearance of the reference section.

22. Overall Comments The dissertation is well-structured, with clear and coherent chapters that build upon one another logically. The literature review is comprehensive, providing a solid theoretical foundation for the study, while the methodology section is detailed and rigorous, enhancing the credibility of the research findings. The data analysis is insightful, employing a thematic approach that effectively highlights key issues and contextual factors influencing the curriculum renewal. The conclusions and recommendations are well-articulated, offering practical implications for educators and policymakers.

23. Cont’d The strengths of the dissertation lie in its clear structure, thorough literature review, and rigorous qualitative methodology. The thematic analysis is detailed and offers valuable insights, with well-articulated conclusions and practical recommendations that are highly relevant to the field of education. However , the study has some weaknesses, including the lack of quantitative data that could have provided a more rounded understanding and a limited comparative scope that restricts the generalizability of the findings. Generally, the dissertation is a significant contribution to understanding EFL curriculum renewal and offers useful implications for educators and policymakers.

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