Study Skills
R.R 1.1: Evaluating the validity of information from a range of sources for a given purpose ensures that relevant information is selected from a range of sources. Therefore, the information I used for the assignment for Unit 1 meant that I would need to use factual information from the Equalities Act 2010 and the Rehabilitation of offenders Act 1974. This is valid information that is factual that I used to complete the assignment. This involved working with factual information to aid in my work for the assignment. These pieces information also gave the opportunity to look at how these pieces of legislation fit into my practice as a teacher, which also made it more valid in terms of the work I was producing. (See appendix 1, 2 and 3).
R.R 1.2: There are many research methods that are used to gather information for a given purpose. For the purpose of the assignment I researched using the research methods sheet to structure my research. The research methods I used was to carry out an internet research to find out information on the two acts and to look at the different ways of how these acts play significance on my practice. This was carried out by using books; a book I used was Linda Wilson’s book which gave me information on what context the Equalities Act 2010 plays within my practice. These methods were appropriate for this purpose as it was a factually based assignment which got me to look at how equality and diversity plays a part in my practice. Therefore these methods were ideal to research. However, the appropriateness of different research methods will be established through the content of the assignment brief. This would mean that different methods like questionnaires and speaking with people may suit the research. Additionally, researching through journals would support the assignment and give information on different subjects and also help in terms of theory.
R.R 2.2: There are many issues that relate to plagiarism and copyright of electronic materials. Issues of plagiarism and copyright have become more significant with the introduction of the internet and have meant that the use of materials is a lot more difficult. However, material can be used for educational purposes. There are issues with learners using plagiarised material and tutors using materials that have not been copyrighted. As the internet is not governed, learners and tutors can go on to sites and find information to disseminate to classes without realising that there are strict copyright laws with that piece of information. Moreover, learners could be using material electronically and not referencing this material leading to plagiarism.

R.R 3.1: It is important to reference sources accurately as it is essential to state sources of ideas and information. There are five main reasons for providing references, these are:
“1. Acknowledging a source is a courtesy to the person whose idea or words you have used or referred to.
2. By giving the source you make it clear to the reader that you are not trying to pretend somebody else’s work is your own. (You are not ‘plagiarising’ someone else’s work).
3. The source helps your readers to find the original texts or webpages to read themselves, should they wish.
4. If you need to check something later, the reference will help you find it again more easily.
5. People will have more confidence in your assertions if they know where your information comes from. Thoroughness in referencing suggests that you will also have been thorough in checking your facts.” (Stella Cottrell, 2008, p. 130)
R.R 4.1: There are many systems of referencing, although, the main used method of referencing is the Harvard referencing method. The conventional systems that are used is you need to list alphabetically by authors surname and information needs to be put in the same order, e.g. author, date, title, location of publisher and the publishers name.

References:
Cottrell, S, 2008, Palgrave Study Skills: