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1.1 Motivate whether or not you regard this study as research by referring to the definition of research (7)Research is a systematic approach of gathering, testing, and interpreting data for further understanding (Johnson, 2019; Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). Leedy and Ormrod (2015) further explained that research consists of certain characteristics, that are discussed next. The study conducted by Dada, Huguet, and Bornman (2013) reflect these characteristics. First, research originates with an unanswered question (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). The question found in Dada et al. (2013) study is how iconic 16 specifically selected Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) are to South African children with English as their second language and mild intellectual disability. Second, research requires a clear goal (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). Johnson (2019) added that the goal of research must be narrowed down to answer it scientifically. Similar to the research question, the research goal of Dada et al. (2013, p.360) was to “examine the iconicity of 16 Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) presented on a themed bed-making communication overlay for South African children with English as an additional language and mild intellectual disability” Third, research has sub-aims. These sub-aims are formulated by dividing the main aim into more manageable goals and should be no more than six (Johnson, 2019; Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). Dada et al. (2013) have three sub-aims that are discussed in more detail in Question 1.5.Fourth, research follows a specific plan or procedure (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). Dada et al. (2013) followed a quantitative, non-experimental design (see Question 1.7). Fifth, research is guided by a hypothesis (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). The authors hypothesised that the contextual effects, the surrounding PCS, and the intuitive and linguistic distinctiveness could have been the related to the implications.Sixth, research accepts critical assumptions (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). One critical assumption in the study of Dada et al (2013) was that iconicity may be influenced by various aspects such as diversity, intellectual disabilities, and/or skills in language, specifically an additional language.Lastly, research requires the collection and interpretation of data (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). Dada et al. (2013, p.366) collected their data from surveys: “participants were then required to mark the target symbols independently after the gloss was read out for five trial items, without modelling or any other help from the researcher.” Based on the definition of research and its characteristics, the study conducted by Dada et al. (2013) can indeed be regarded as research. 1.2 In the introduction, the authors present a logical argument (rationale) as to why they did this study. Briefly summarise the main points of their argument (10)The main argument in the study conducted by Dada et al. (2013) was that iconicity can be enhanced, manipulated, and influenced by contextual effects such as symbol effects, referent effects, instructional effects, and individual effects.For adults with intact language and cognitive skills, finding the meaning of graphic symbols is a straightforward task. However, this is not the case for individuals with cognitive challenges as they have reduced resources to rely on in order to interpret graphic symbols (Dada et al., 2013). Dada et al. (2013) also argued that previous experience with symbols can influence the iconicity of graphic symbols for the individual. Furthermore, previous research suggested that improved language function will increase the understanding and the use of iconicity with graphic symbols for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities (Dada et al., 2013). However, the results of previous research also indicated that iconicity of the PCS was generally low. In line with language skills is the increasing awareness of the impact of language and culture as several individuals with disabilities in South Africa have diverse backgrounds which can also influence iconicity (Dada et al., 2013).Considering the variety of variables that may impact iconicity Dada et al (2013) argued that it can be complicated to predict the iconicity of PCS for a particular population. 1.3 Formulate an overall main research question for this study. Remember that the question is the same as the aim – the aim is just in statement format. You may quote directly from the study but use appropriate referencing (4)The main research question was derived from the aim of the study which focuses on “The iconicity of picture communication symbols for children with English additional language and mild intellectual disability” (Dada et al., 2013, p.360). Thus, the research question is: How accurately do children in South Africa with English as an additional language and mild intellectual disability guess the PCS symbols on a themed bed-making overlay? 1.4 In order to qualify as a research question, a question has to meet certain requirements. Discuss these and indicate whether or not the research question identified in your previous answer meets each of the requirements. Also justify your answer by referring back to the research question (6)Tönsig (2019) explained that a research question should be wide enough to ensure that the answer still remains important but not too obvious. A research question needs to indicate a strong rationale and further data collection for it to be answered (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). Therefore, in testing the question “how accurately do children in South Africa with English as an additional language and mild intellectual disability guess the PCS symbols on a themed bed-making overlay?”, it is clear that the question has a good argument for being answered as it can assist children in the future if the problem has a solution, therefore, it needs data collection in order to attempt to answer it. 1.5 What are the three sub aims of the study? You may quote directly from the study, but use appropriate referencing (3) The three sub aims of the research were clearly indicated by Dada et al. (2013, p.362) as “a) to examine the frequency with which the PCS were selected as target symbols and non-target PCS; b) to explore the factors that might contribute to errors; and c) to determine the correlation between the participants’ scores on English vocabulary measures and their accuracy selecting target PCS.” 1.6 Why do you think the authors wanted to investigate whether English vocabulary skills were related to how accurately the children could identify the PCS symbols? Refer to previous literature (3) In the study of Dada et al (2013) previous literature indicated that a multitude of children with disabilities in South Africa have different backgrounds in culture and language. Most children are required to learn English when attending mainstream. Since English is more often an additional language it can become an implication on the identification of PCS and, therefore, the study investigated if the vocabulary skills were in any means related to the accurate identification of PCS. 1.7 Was the design employed in this study predominantly qualitative or quantitative? Motivate your answer by citing evidence from the study. Use your own words and do not copy directly from the article (4)Quantitative research generally involves the examination of numbers in relation to one or more variables as it uses statistical analysis to some extent (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015; Malhotra & Birks, 2006). In the study of Dada et al (2013) mathematical calculations were used to analyse and interpret data by using the Spearman correlation coefficient to compute the number of target symbols selected by the 30 participants and their English vocabulary scores. Descriptive statistics were also used to summarise the data (Dada et al., 2013). Therefore, the employed research design by Dada et al (2013) was predominantly quantitative. 1.8 Further specify the type of design employed, citing evidence as to why you describe it as that particular design (4)According to Malhotra and Birks (2006), a descriptive research design aim to describe a matter. Descriptive research also offers the researcher the opportunity to understand the characteristics of a group. Furthermore, descriptive research involves obtaining quantitative data, such as population information or satisfaction ratings (Sekaran & Bougie, 2013). The study conducted by Dada et al (2013) aimed to describe the characteristics of iconicity, specifically its influential factors. 1.9 The article lacks information about the sampling procedure used to select participants. Describe why this can be problematic. Also suggest a sampling procedure that could have improved the study. Describe this sampling procedure and justify why it could have improved the study (8)According to Tönsig (2019), results cannot be generalised to the total population if the sampling procedure does not account for the general population. This indicates sampling bias: any component that disrupts the randomness of a sample (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015; Tönsig, 2019). Therefore, the lack of sampling procedure used to select participants in Dada et al (2013) is portrayed as biased as the data cannot be generalised to specific gender or to a specific disorder.A sampling procedure that could have improved the study is quota sampling. According to Leedy and Ormrod (2015) quota sampling chooses respondents in the same extent as they are found in the overall population. For example, the school used in the study conducted by Dada et al (2013) has 35% girls with mild intellectual disabilities that are between the age of 12 and 15 years, and 65% of boys with mild intellectual disabilities within the same age range, therefore, participants would be chosen to the same extent as the overall population in the school. For example, 35% of the participants will be girls with mild intellectual disabilities that are between the age of 12 and 15 years, and 65% of the participants will be boys with mild intellectual disabilities within the same age range. Quota sampling allow for more generalised results (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015).1.10 Name five selection criteria of the participants (5)The participants of Dada et al (2013) research study had to fit the following criteria: 1) they had to be between the ages of 12 and 15 years of age; 2) have normal hearing; 3) have English as a second language; 4); attended an English medium school for at least three years without direct PCS intervention and; 5) should be able to independently manipulate pen and paper. 1.11 Name three descriptive criteria of the participants. Only name the variable reported (e.g. ‘profession’) – do not give the values (i.e. do not say ‘Three were teachers, two were nurses…) (3) The three descriptive criteria of the participants were 1) they had to have and IQ score between 50 and 70; 2) have mild intellectual disability; and 3) have English as an additional language. 1.12 Why do you think the authors involved two review panels to review the material that they were intending to use in the study? (2)To ensure linguistic and cultural appropriateness of the selected 16 symbols and their corresponding words (Dada et al., 2013).1.13 Briefly describe the data collection procedure in your own words (6)Correlation research aims to examine the degree to which differences in one variable are connected to differences in other variables (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015; Tönsig, 2019). Data is collected from number characteristics such as test scores, observer ratings, and frequencies of behaviour (Tönsig, 2019). Dada et al (2013) gathered data by using test scores from English vocabulary assessments and target PCS. At a minimum, two different variables are measured in order to determine whether these variables are related. Therefore, each participant has two numbers to indicate the different variables (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015; Tönsig, 2019). Dada et al (2013) assigned a participant number to each of the 30 participants, which was pre-recorded on the measuring instruments to ensure that it matched with the participants’ English vocabulary scores.Furthermore, variables can indicate a correlation by using a correlation coefficient (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015; Tönsig, 2019). Dada et al (2013) used the Spearman correlation coefficients that indicated that there was no correlation between the number of the correctly identified 16 target symbols and the English vocabulary scores. 1.14 Explain in your own words what Figure 2 depicts (2)Figure 2 describes how often the 30 participants correctly selected the 16 targeted symbols in correspondence with the given word. The result indicated that a total of three symbols were correctly identified at a frequency of 90% and that one symbol was the least selected at a frequency of 33% (Dada et al., 2013). 1.15 How would you calculate the average percentage with which the symbols were correctly identified? (2)Calculate the sum of the percentage of target PCS selected (1132,6%), divided by the total number of PCS (16), times 100, which equals 70,79%.1.16 Explain what is meant by the statement that no correlation was found between the amount of correctly identified symbols and the receptive or expressive language skills (Dada et al., 2013, p. 370) (2)The results from the study conducted by Dada et al (2013) indicated that there is no correlation between the amount of correctly identified symbols and the receptive or expressive language skills, which means that language skills do not impact the ability to correctly select targeted PCS.1.17 What were the conclusions and implications of the results for AAC intervention according to the authors? Summarize in your own words (4)According to Dada et al (2013), the results for AAC intervention imply that PCS might need to be enhanced to produce a more iconic symbol for the AAC user and their communication partners that are pre- or non-literate. However, instead of isolating the symbols, the iconicity of a symbol should be considered in relation to the other symbols on the overlay.Furthermore, it was noted that not all symbol modifications resulted in high iconicity. Therefore, the limitations in the study conducted by Dada et al (2013) indicated that additional research is required to investigate the effect of modification techniques.