PEE tee eee peepee eae aa a ea MODULE 1 GATHERING AND PROCESSING INFORMATION3 a peers MODULE OBJECTIVES ‘This module ideally prepares you, the student, for the Oral section (Exposition reparation and presentation) of the Internal Assessment (1A). The objectives of this module include: Research Methods: v Explore and research methods and instruments and examine their strengths and weaknesses. Identity types of sources and evaluate them based on reliability and validity Critique types of arguments: Inductive, deductive and logical reasoning Collaborate in groups, design an investigation and conduct a research based on given topics. ‘Then apply knowledge of research principles to locate reliable and valid sources. Discuss issues related to the topic and the challenges faced Observe the guidelines for the Expository Orals and locate reliable sources {primary and secondary) of information. Structure the presentation based on CAPE requirements (see syllabus) Make oral presentations of their given topics that is expository in nature Purpose, Strategy, Mode Distinguish between the writer's main idea and purpose in a given piece of writing Distinguish among various modes of writing by the features of each: narrative, expository, argumentative, informative, etc. Investigate the writer's use of organizational strategies and lang achieve his/her purpose Read passages and examine selection of words and phi purpose Engage in oral communicative tasks by incorporating strategies and techniques to create an effect on the audience. yuage techniques in order to rases used by the writer to achieve Listening Comprehension v ¥ v ‘Accurately distinguish between the writer's main idea and purpose Identify various literary devices and comment on their effect on the issue/topic Actively isten to a passage and respond accurately to questions related to it Levels of Comprehension v v v v Distinguish among the levels of comprehension Use specific task words to engage each level Read a poem or short prose piece and closely examine the levels of each ‘Accurately respond fo questions that indicate comprehension of a piece of writing~~ wwe ewe ee eC wr UCU CCE ae CUE SECTS ET UCT CE SESE eee RESEARCH METHODS There are two types of data collection: Primary and Secondary. > Primary Data: This is data that is collected firsthand by researcher; information that is original to the researcher. This is research that the researcher designs and carries out using survey(s) and/or focus groups. > Secondary data: This is the type of research that depends on accessing information that has already been researched. This is data that is retrieved from books, joumals, websites, other publications and expert sources. Primary Data Collection Methods There are two types of primary research: Qualitative and Quantitative. 5 taken from observations, interviews Y Qualitative research is based on information finding research helps us to understand how and from tracing patterns of behaviour. This type of people feel and why they feel like they do, VY Quantitative research is widespread and requires the use of surveys to feed the statistical analysis. It also requires a large sample. Because the sample is quite large, the researcher is not likely to have all the contact with the participants of the research. Other terms related to research: ¥ Population ~ This is to do with the groups of individuals, items or events that the researcher wants to use. ¥ Sample - This has to do with the sub-set of the population that you use to determine your overall findings. Y Instruments - These are the methodologies used to collect data. There are numerous research instruments in existence and it is up to the researcher to find out what is best suited to the type of research he/she is doing. When the researcher creates his/her own instruments, this can be quite time-consuming and raises the question of reliability and validity. TYPES OF PRIMARY COLLECTION METHODS 4. QUESTIONNAIRES These are a collection of questions that the respondents complete on their own. They are used when factual information is required. When opinions are required a questionnaire is used. This is constructed in a similar manner as a questionnaire. A questionnaire is used with all research designs. There are approximately three ways in which a questionnaire can be administered: 1, Personally 2. Via the telephone 3. Via the mail 2,‘ INTERVIEWS These can cither be structured or unstructured. They comprise a group of questions administered to the respondent face to face. The structured interviews comprise a set of precisely formulated ‘ons, which are asked of a respondent. The unstructured Interviews allow the respondent to questi 3 i d to a stimulus question. It is very informal and allows for the respondent to speak for as long respon3 ce mc as he/she wants. These are used in qualitative research and case studies, but can be useful in Surveys especially social surveys 3. OBSERVATION Observation is the systematic noting and recording of events, behaviors, and artifacts (objects) in the social setting chosen for study. The observational record is frequently referred to as field notes - detailed, nonjudgmental, concrete descriptions of what has been observed. For studies relying exclusively on observation, the researcher makes no special effort to have a particular role in the setting, to be tolerated as an unobtrusive observer is enough. Observation can range from a highly structured, detailed notation of behavior structured by checklists to a more holistic description of events and behavior. Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Instruments A Research Instrument is designed specifically to collect data to provide answers for a given research question. * Questionnaire Strengths * Facilitates data collection of large population * Less time consuming than ather methods ‘+ Allows for anonymous responses * Is easily administered Weaknesses «Not very economical (paper expenses, etc.) * Does not allow for probing responses '* Responses can be misleading (especially if researchers are not around to clarify) + Limitations posed by the literacy of the respondents Interview Strengths + Provides in-depth information «Allows the researcher more flexibility «Can yield a high volume of data Weaknesses May result in unnecessary information Can be affected by researcher's biases Can be time consuming Data collection is heavily dependent on the respondent's schedule The respondent's memory can be poor, yielding inaccurate information. » Observation Strengths «Facilitates the collection of primary data 2 Comparatively lessens respondents bias and possible interference S Itcan yield a high volume of data S itallows for researcher flexibilityEE EE SO OSCSSSSECSEESETEECEEEC EEE ELECT Beat Se nutter aterm EROS TEE Ea Weaknesses e Can be affected by researcher's bias + Reactions of the respondents may be misinterpreted * Important and relevant data may be missed as chosen times of observation may not be appropriate oF even significant * May be affected by Observer's Paradox where the person being observed exhibits behaviour they feel is expected. Secondary Data Collection Methods When one engages in secondary research, one must be careful to read and therefore site from research or articles that are authoritative and scholarly. "It is important to evaluate one's sources. This means that one must determine to what extent your sources must be trusted to provide true and accurate information. When evaluating your sources, you must first do a check: ¥ Does the author have a bibliography at the end of the book, chapter or article? This indicates that the writer's awareness of other research in the field. ¥ Does the date of the article suggest that it is current or is the research outdated? A maximum of 7 years should indicate some level of how recent the document is and its validity. Are the writer's credentials cited? Are there references to the author in other documents you have read? Where was the article printed? Does the publication have some bias? Is the internet site a reputable one? V6 48ed ania emia Sa THE EXPOSITORY ORALS The exposition should mirror the following: ® Discussion of issues and challenges (5 marks) The candidate should have a current topic and demonstrate substantial knowledge of the critical issues related to the topic, 2s well as, considerable appreciation of challenges raised by the issues. The exposition should have three issues and two challenges. The challenges refer to why it ig believed or if any information presented on why the issues continue to be a problem in society. > Evaluation of the effect of the source, content and medium/channel on the reliability and validity of information given (4 marks) > Candidate provides an organization with introduction, logical sequence and conclusion but there should be some form of conclusion. (3 marks) > Delivery (4 marks) Audibility, fluency, eye contact, body movement, paralinguistic features such as pauses, throat clearing and pitch Candidate speaks with a clear, audible voice throughout and is consistently fluent and confident with excellent paralinguistic skills,o LISTENING COMPREHENSION Whenever we read, listen or communicate orally, we must ensure that comprehension takes place: for communication to be effective. For communication to be effective, it means one must engage each level of compretiension: the literal, inferential and the evaluative. Y Literal level This level is really information that can be readily be received without much thinking. Simply put, details that are ‘on the surface’. v Inferential level This level allows for examination and the breaking down of information into parts by identifying motives or causes, Make inferences and find evidence to support generalizations. v Evaluative level This level allows the receiver of the information to place a judgement on the Information received. This will include present information, background knowledge and experiences. Below is a table of example of task words for each level of comprehension. Literal ~__Inferential I Evaluative State interpret Evaluate Identify = Explain Analyze Highlight : Compare and contrast Deduce Outline Distinguish Justify Recall Investigate Recommend |aa Ne eT i ee $$ PURPOSE, STRATEGY, MODE ihe Central issue (not necessarily a problem) is critical in identifying Srtain mode of wniing to convey his ideas that Is through a narrative, al piece, an argument or a combination of said modes of writing. urpose for using 8 iter's the sree ‘descriptive in exposition, a has to do with whether he or she wants {> ioture of any- subject abject. levant evidence. The central issue is what the writing is about. The purpost narrate; to relate a sequence of events, to describe; construct a verbal pi person, place or situation, to argue or to convince through valid reasoning and rele Quite often, the expository mode of writing is combined with the argumentative mode, 3% the writer uses explanatory writing to set out information that supports the argument, Notably, modes can be combined, but itis for the reader to be able to identify strategies that are indicative of the different modes of writing in order to achieve a writer's purpose. hieve his purpose is by effectively pose, decided what to se. With each The most important strategy or way in which a writer is able to ac organizing the necessary material. Once the writer has identified his or her pu \write about and ordered the points, then every sentence must further his or her purpo sentence that is written, the purpose must be further clarified. As such, when it comes to analyzing a writer's structure, itis to: 1. Identify the component parts of the whole passage. 2. Examine the order and relation to the topic. ‘A careful selection of words and phrases depending on the mode of writing helps with conveying precise meaning in a piece of writing. However, the effective structuring and arrangement of eeatences and its patts aid in clatty. Appropriate choice of words or diction can enhance a writer's point-convey it more strikingly by a careful selection of language techniques such as figurative devices and can be applied across modes of writing ‘Additional techniques may be the use of font, complex or simple sentences, complex words, and simple words to name a few. Organizational Strategies and Language Techniques are employed by a writer or speaker around a central issue or theme in order to achieve his or her purpose. ‘ategies are those strategies that organize his or her ideas while the language Organizational Str: d to assist with the organization of those ideas. techniques are use [ Organizational Strategies Language Techniques Y Historical Data Y All figurative devices ¥ Use of Statistical Data ¥ Diction ¥ Use of Authority ¥ Jargons ¥ Classification ¥ Bold words/italics ¥ Use of Analogy ¥ Specific types of punctuation marks e.g, ¥ Definition of terms the dash ‘ ¥ Compare a ¥ Use of emotive language v and ct Sale Qo F eaest ptve detailUse of Imagery V Syaple wal 3 compler dorels ie “urge Rakes od ooplen