Exploring Social Skills in Students of Diverse Cultural Identities in Primary Education

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Further explore the importance of the research gap, describe the sample population, time period data collection, and analyze data interpretation.  Please explore the significant findings to show the novelty.  

Author Response

REVIEWER 1

CONMENT 1

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Further explore the importance of the research gap, describe the sample population, time period data collection, and analyze data interpretation.  Please explore the significant findings to show the novelty. 

RESPONSE

Thank you for your valuable comments. Your suggestions have been considered and included in the study.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article explores the impact of race, ethnicity, religion, and cultural background on the development of students' social skills. By analyzing specific social skills across diverse demographic groups, the study offers valuable insights into educational strategies that promote inclusivity and address the unique needs of all students, thereby enhancing a harmonious and productive school environment. I find this research topic quite intriguing. However, I believe the following modifications are necessary:

1. It appears that the article primarily discusses local cases and lacks broader applicative value. I suggest that the author engage with other research studies to contextualize the findings within a wider framework in the discussion section.

2. Tables I, II, and III are quite lengthy. Would it be possible to consider using pie charts or relocating them to an appendix for improved clarity and readability?

3. The results section should not simply list all items, as this may give the impression that the research is still at a preliminary stage. It would be more effective to focus on items that show significant statistical relevance, summarizing key findings and directly highlighting the implications of these important results.

4. Additionally, there is an opportunity to delve deeper into how different religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds influence the development of social skills among students. A thorough discussion of the possible reasons and underlying socio-cultural factors would enrich the study's depth and relevance.

Author Response

REVIEWER 2

CONMENT 1

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article explores the impact of race, ethnicity, religion, and cultural background on the development of students' social skills. By analyzing specific social skills across diverse demographic groups, the study offers valuable insights into educational strategies that promote inclusivity and address the unique needs of all students, thereby enhancing a harmonious and productive school environment. I find this research topic quite intriguing.

 

RESPONSE

Thank you for your kind comments.

CONMENT 2

However, I believe the following modifications are necessary:

 

1. It appears that the article primarily discusses local cases and lacks broader applicative value. I suggest that the author engage with other research studies to contextualize the findings within a wider framework in the discussion section.

RESPONSE

Thank you for your valuable comments. Your suggestions have been considered and included in the discussion section of the study.

CONMENT 3

2. Tables I, II, and III are quite lengthy. Would it be possible to consider using pie charts or relocating them to an appendix for improved clarity and readability?

 

RESPONSE

Thank you for your valuable comments. Tables have been considered and included in annexes to facilitate the reading of the study.

CONMENT 4

3. The results section should not simply list all items, as this may give the impression that the research is still at a preliminary stage. It would be more effective to focus on items that show significant statistical relevance, summarizing key findings and directly highlighting the implications of these important results.

RESPONSE

Thank you for your valuable comments. Your suggestions have been considered and included in the results section, focusing only on items that show significant statistical significance, summarising key findings and directly highlighting implications for how religious, ethnic and racial backgrounds influence students' social skills.

 

 

CONMENT 5

4. Additionally, there is an opportunity to delve deeper into how different religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds influence the development of social skills among students. A thorough discussion of the possible reasons and underlying socio-cultural factors would enrich the study's depth and relevance.

RESPONSE

Thank you for your appreciated comments. Your suggestions have been considered and included. The discussion section has been expanded by referring to other research studies to contextualise the findings within a broader framework. Discussing in depth possible reasons and socio-cultural factors underlying social skills at this stage.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

First of all, congratulations for your work. The paper it's well writen and easy to read, the data it's clear to analyze.

The references strongly supports the analysis and are well choose.

The methodology is flawless and the results are interesting.

I just have a little suggestion to you:

- You must refer in the conclusion that the results of the majority could have some kind of bias that derive directly of the existence of that clear majority of the cases of the same race, ethnicity and religion (white, castilian and catholic).

Thanks for your work.

Author Response

REVIEWER 3

CONMENT 1

First of all, congratulations for your work. The paper it's well writen and easy to read, the data it's clear to analyze.

The references strongly supports the analysis and are well choose.

The methodology is flawless and the results are interesting.

I just have a little suggestion to you:

- You must refer in the conclusion that the results of the majority could have some kind of bias that derive directly of the existence of that clear majority of the cases of the same race, ethnicity and religion (white, castilian and catholic).

Thanks for your work.

RESPONSE

Thank you for your appreciated comments. Reviewer 2's suggestion that the majority results might have some kind of bias that derives directly from the existence of this clear majority of cases of the same race, ethnicity and religion (white, Castilian and Catholic) has been included in the conclusion section.

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors,

This paper interesting in terms of social skills and its relation to the ethnicity, religion, region etc. Thus, this study investigated whether white race, Castilian ethnicity and Christian religion have any 13 influence on Social skills are crucial such as empathy, conflict resolution, leadership and self- esteem due to these skills can be conditioned by factors such as race, ethnicity or religion of the 8 students, as well as by the environment in which they live. However, the reader expects a research problem neatly about what this study research clearly as a sentence.

Regarding the method,

This study used quasi-experimental design, but it was not mentioned that this design is not contain random selection for the participants as limitation. Therefore, current result is not generalized to the other region and students.  The other limitation was the participant numerous that is very less students in terms of any quantitative research. Meanwhile, it should be given more information about the used Instrument in this study such as account of the reliable. What is the containing of this tool? Please provide more information. However, it could be well, if this study used qualitative research design with quantitative research one. Additionally, it could be came the other question to our mind that just one instrument measure such issue alone. Perhaps, it might be used another tool as well with present one. This is serious limitation of this study.

Regarding the results,

This study reached a result that students of predominantly white, Castilian ethnicity and Christian religion exhibit greater social skills compared to those of Gypsy ethnicity, Islamic religion or no religious affiliation.

Accordingly, the authors claimed that culture and social environment exert on the development of social skills. However, they should emphasize that present result is valid within used desing and tool for this region in where participants in elementary school. In addition, the authors should explain a support (or unsupported) clues for the current result in terms of the discussion as based on the related literature, as well.

The authors suggested that development of social skills are important for facilitating integration and promoting peaceful coexistence among different cultural groups. However, authors should recommend the researchers for future research in various regions for make such suggestion as generalization. İf not search this topic in future mostly, it is just a wishful thinking, not a suggestion.

Good luck.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

REVIEWER 4

CONMENT 1

This paper interesting in terms of social skills and its relation to the ethnicity, religion, region etc. Thus, this study investigated whether white race, Castilian ethnicity and Christian religion have any 13 influences on social skills are crucial such as empathy, conflict resolution, leadership and self- esteem due to these skills can be conditioned by factors such as race, ethnicity or religion of the 8 students, as well as by the environment in which they live.

RESPONSE

Thank you for your valuable comments. Although the study was not carried out with only 8 students, it involved N=803 intercultural pupils aged 6-12 years, enrolled in primary schools in the academic year 2022/2023.

CONMENT 2

However, the reader expects a research problem neatly about what this study research clearly as a sentence.

RESPONSE

Thank you for your appreciated comments. Your suggestion has been considered and included in the theoretical framework of the study, where the research problem is stated in one sentence.

CONMENT 3

Regarding the method,

This study used quasi-experimental design, but it was not mentioned that this design is not contain random selection for the participants as limitation. Therefore, current result is not generalized to the other region and students.  The other limitation was the participant numerous that is very less students in terms of any quantitative research.

RESPONSE

Thank you for your appreciated comments. Your suggestion has been considered and included in the limitations section of the study. Although the reviewer is again advised that the total number of students was not 8 but N=803 intercultural pupils aged 6-12 years.

CONMENT 4

Meanwhile, it should be given more information about the used Instrument in this study such as account of the reliable. What is the containing of this tool? Please provide more information.

RESPONSE

Thank you for your appreciated comments. Your suggestion has been considered and included in the instrument description section, reflecting the psychometric validity and reliability data of the scale.  

CONMENT 5

However, it could be well, if this study used qualitative research design with quantitative research one. Additionally, it could be came the other question to our mind that just one instrument measure such issue alone. Perhaps, it might be used another tool as well with present one. This is serious limitation of this study.

RESPONSE

Thank you for your appreciated comments. Your suggestion has been considered and included in the limitations section of the study.

CONMENT 6

Regarding the results,

This study reached a result that students of predominantly white, Castilian ethnicity and Christian religion exhibit greater social skills compared to those of Gypsy ethnicity, Islamic religion or no religious affiliation. Accordingly, the authors claimed that culture and social environment exert on the development of social skills. However, they should emphasize that present result is valid within used desing and tool for this region in where participants in elementary school. In addition, the authors should explain a support (or unsupported) clues for the current result in terms of the discussion as based on the related literature, as well.

RESPONSE

We deeply appreciate your valuable comments. We have taken your suggestion into account and integrated it into the findings section of the study, highlighting that the results obtained are valid within the design and tool used specifically for the region in which the study was conducted with primary school participants. We have also incorporated an analysis in the discussion section that supports the results of the current study, based on the related literature. This inclusion reinforces the validity of our findings and provides a broader context for their interpretation.

CONMENT 7

The authors suggested that development of social skills is important for facilitating integration and promoting peaceful coexistence among different cultural groups. However, authors should recommend the researchers for future research in various regions for make such suggestion as generalization. İf not search this topic in future mostly, it is just a wishful thinking, not a suggestion. Good luck.

RESPONSE

We are very grateful for your valuable comments. In the limitations and suggestions section of the study, we indicate both the limitations and future proposals for improvement, taking into account different regions so that the data can be generalised.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The author has provided point-by-point responses to each comment. I am now in agreement that the manuscript is suitable for publication.

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Author(s),

The revised version of this paper seems to be enhanced clearly by the author(s). All the questions have been responded by authors. So, it is to be congratulate for revising form.

Good luck. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The language is well.