A comprehensive literature review of reading strategies for ESL learners in inclusive educational settings

1. Critical understanding of literature in the topic area and the ability to critique this and make links to your study.

2. Critical understanding and justification of appropriate research methodology and methods to plan and implement a small-scale study with independence, with consideration of ethics.

3. Analysis of primary or secondary data collected, to present coherent discussion and propose responses to the research questions. Critique shows close links to existing literature to support discussion. Critique of your study, identifying strengths and limitations of the research design. State where possible, how these were overcome.

4. Contribute to professional debate and development by communicating how the work that you have undertaken demonstrates originality and creativity. Relate your completed work and its outcomes to relevant professional contexts, by making recommendations for future practice and research.

If following a theoretical/literature-based route, perhaps share your rationale for this methodological choice.

The report should ideally contain the following elements:

• An abstract.
• An introduction setting out an overview of the work and why it is valuable and important – a rationale.
• A literature review of a substantial portion of literature related to the focus area.
• A statement of the research question and any sub-questions.
• An explanation and rationale of the methodological approach.
• A section on sampling, recruitment and participants and a rationale for same.
• A section on ethical considerations.
• A critical account of your approach to data gathering and the methods used.
• An outline of the actual implementation of the study/project and how this was monitored.
• Data obtained and its analysis in relation to the specific context.
• Critical analysis and discussion of the findings.
• Clear identification and discussion of the issues emerging from the research study/professional project, relating these to previous research findings as in the literature review and/or theoretical frameworks for the methodology used.
• Conclusions reached.
• Recommendations for others.
• Critical evaluation of the effectiveness of your research/project process and methods used/limitations. This might include a reflective paragraph to acknowledge bias and experiences which may have affected the (usually qualitative) research process.
• Acknowledgement of the wider implications of the findings for self, and others as appropriate to your profession and situation.
• Reference list.