Scholarly Paper

Assignment/Task: Prepare a scholarly paper of around 4000+ words that examines an aspect of
curriculum theory, development, implementation and/or innovation based on your own context
(subject chosen in negotiation with the module coordinator). Your scholarly paper can be based
on an actual curriculum document; curriculum activity (reviewing an implementation of a named
curriculum); analysis of a curriculum approach/perspective or a research article related to your
own context or subject concentration. This work will constitute 70% of the student’s final grade.
Note that it is essential to understand what the task is and what the accompanying requirements
are. The length or word count of the paper can be 10% above or below the recommended word
count.
Note also that your scholarly paper can be structured according to your personal preference
provided the key elements such as the introduction, identification and analysis of key concepts
and conclusion are amply covered and coherently presented.
Where can I find a curriculum document or a research article?
You can find a research report or curriculum document from a variety of sources:
– The University library/other libraries: The University library has a wide range of academic and
professional journals which you can access online. See the BUiD Library website.
– Other libraries: If you have access to other libraries near you, you may be able to find journal
articles or research reports for the activity.
– Your School/Workplace: Your school has a wide range of curriculum and national education
policy documents which you can use. It is also possible that the organization/school has a
database or records of research reports on curriculum documents, gained through research it
conducted on its practices and other related areas. If this opportunity exists, you may be able to
identify an appropriate document/article which you can use as a basis for the assignment.
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However, you would need to seek permission from your organisation before using them as some
may involve confidential materials.
– The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ): This website holds a wide range of professional
and academic journals that can be accessed free online. It is possible for you to find research
articles that are relevant to your specialty or area of interest. http://www.doaj.org/
Note that the scholarly paper can be approached differently once the key components are amply
covered; however, the following is a suggested structure that can help you to work through each
of the articles to be critiqued:
The following is a suggested structure that can help you to work through your paper:
1. Basic information: name/student ID; Title of the topic including author(s)
2. Abstract: a summary of your research paper which can be approximately 150-250 words
long. (optional but recommended)
3. Introduction: What is your paper about? What is the context? How is it structured? Your
introduction should be a broad statement of your scholarly paper which should include
the background and context of the paper, clearly stating the questions/aim/objective and
rationale or justification for your choice of document, article, activity or approach for
analysis. What aspect of curriculum development would your paper focus on? Would it
focus on the Curriculum Objectives? Teaching and Learning? Curriculum implementation?
Curriculum Evaluation? A whole curriculum? Etc? The introduction should also provide a
roadmap for your paper; mentioning the main ideas and how the overall paper is
structured.
4. Literature Review: Depending on your preferred structure, this could be part of the
introduction or a stand-alone section. What is the existing key literature related to your
topic and how will this inform your paper? In this section, you should identify relevant
literature and discuss the different perspectives presented. The section should show clear
evidence that you clearly understand the current knowledge and debates relevant to the
concepts in your assignment. For example, if your paper is an analysis of a science
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curriculum in Dubai, your literature could search for papers on science curriculum
generally; at a particular level (year level) and context (e.g. GCC, UAE, Dubai); focus (whole
curriculum, the philosophy, objectives, effectiveness of curriculum etc). You would also
need to show informed understanding of the perspectives and level at which you
agree/disagree with them and aspects you intend to use (or modify) to inform your paper.
It is important to be strategic in selecting the literature to be used and best to focus on a
few (7-10) references to be able to have a succinct analysis and critique while indicating
awareness of the vast literature out there (use the most current literature). Note that the
relevance of the references to the context of your paper is more important than the total
number of references used.
5. Body: The body of your paper can be divided into several sections depending on whether
it is a curriculum document, an activity or a research article. If it is a curriculum document,
it can be divided according to the sections in the curriculum, e.g.
Aims/Objectives/Learning Outcomes, content etc. In the case of a research article, the
different components of the research should be identified and described. The body of
your assignment should identify and critically discuss the main perspective, concepts
and/or theoretical underpinnings of the article or curriculum document aided by your
reading and understanding of the approaches and perspectives we have been discussing
in the module.
The section should also show clear evidence that you clearly understand the current
knowledge and debates relevant to concepts and approaches in curriculum design and
development. You would need to show informed understanding of the
perspectives/approaches used in your chosen document and show how these are linked
to the debate. You may develop a set of key questions to guide the coverage of this
section, for example: What are the key components of the document? What are the
conceptual underpinning? Which approach or theory is used? Is this approach
appropriate? What alternative approaches could be used and why?
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6. Discussion: This section requires a reflective and critical examination/analysis of the
appropriateness of the approaches and perspectives used in each of the aspects of the
document, activity or article drawing on your own experience, literature and other
authentic and verifiable sources and should be appropriately referenced (both in-text and
list of references). Your critical examination should conclude with taking a
position/stand/view about the entire curriculum document/article/approach which may
include agreeing, challenging, proposing etc based on evidence drawn from your own
experience and authentic source.
7. Overall Presentation, Referencing and Written Style: Has my scholarly paper adhered to
the recommended presentation format and adequately referenced using appropriate
referencing style (both in-text and list of references)? Clarity and appropriate structuring
of the paper: identifies context, aims, objectives, rationale etc. Paper should be correctly
referenced (both in-text and list of references) using appropriate referencing style
consistently across the paper as well as effectively communicated using suitable concepts
and terminologies.
8. How many references? How many references should I use to support my scholarly
paper? Again, it is essential to focus more on the quality of the paper; draw on relevant
and up-to-date references to support the literature review, theoretical underpinning,
methodology and other sections of the paper. The relevance and appropriateness of the
references used in the paper should be the main priorities rather than the number of
references. However, paper should draw on at least 10 relevant references

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