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Reconstructing the Research Habits of Today’s Student
Susan Houts, Assistant Professor
Species: Today’s Student
I: Deconstruct Current, Ineffective Research Habits
II. Discuss Problems with These Habits
III. Create Your Tool to Re-Construct Research Habits
Today’s Plan
Discussion:
How do our students feel
about research…?
But first… an exploration of feelings
Discussion:
… And why should wecare
about those feelings?
But first… an exploration of feelings
Frustrated
Overwhelmed
Wasted Time
Fear (of plagiarism)
Pointless Confusion
Let’s Get in Their Shoes…
They often think…
“if there is so much information out there already, what is the point…?”
(More on that later…)
Why should we care?
Overwhelmed = Fear of Failure = Avoidance = Failure…
Which often results in, or looks like, plagiarism
What is their current process?
www.google.com
I. Observed Research Habits
Step 1: Dread
Step 2: Googlewww.google.com
Step 3: Scan and Print
Step 4: Write
Step 5: Present
To find the flaws, we must answer…
What are we trying to teach them?
Remember:
Supporting material is there to give support to
THEIR ORIGINAL IDEAS!
Problems with the current method:
1) Research Method
• “Googling” = Wandering the Library
2) Organizing Method
• Non-existent
3) Writing Method
• Fitting the Ideas to the Research, instead of the other way around.
Internet Dependent vs. Brain Dependent
“If the computer doesn’t tell me, I don’t know…”
… lack of empowerment.
Empowerment
… to have the resources, information and attitudes that allow you to take action and achieve a desired goal.
SPC2608: [email protected]
… to have the resources, information and attitudes that allow you to take action and achieve a desired goal.
SPC2608: [email protected]
Empowerment
Let’s think back…. to B.I.….
Before the Internet…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUs7iG1mNjI
Ideas come from people!
Start HERE!...
… Not HERE!
III.Creating and Using the Workshop Tool
Step 1) Choose your topic
Write topic here:
A. Is this a topic: (circle one)
that you know about or that you want to know more about
Step 1) Choose your topic
Write topic here: Irish Culture
A. Is this a topic: (circle one)
that you know about or that you want to know more about
Step 2) Consider the Audience
B) Why did you pick this topic? How will you explain your credibility to the audience?
C) Why will this topic be interesting or important to your audience? Why should the audience care about this topic?
Step 3) Brain-Squeeze!B. What do you know, or want to know, about this topic?
Brain-squeeze here:
Brainsqueeze v. Brainstorm
B. What do you know, or want to know, about this topic?
Brain-squeeze here:
Irish Culture
Food
Holidays
Music
Language
Potatoes
St. Pat’s
Gaelic
Famous Songs
Step 4) Determine Your Specific Purpose Statement
Specific Purpose vs Thesis?
Thesis = What you are saying
Purpose = Why you are saying it
Specific Purpose Statement
“At the end of my speech/paper, the audience/reader
will be able to….”
Specific Purpose Statement
Benefits:
1) Focuses on observed and measurable behavior.2) Focuses on one idea.3) Considers the audience.4) Guides supporting material.
Answers the question: Why the heck am I writing this
paper anyway?
Great place to discuss Bloom’s
Example
Assignment: Write an informative essay/paper about (your topic here).
Example:Write an informative paper about Orlando.
Student’s Goal: To inform my audience about Orlando.
What could we research about Orlando?
What could we research about Orlando?
Example
Assignment: Write an informative essay/paper about (your topic here).
Example:Write an informative paper about Orlando.
Student’s Goal: To inform my audience about Disney World
What could we research about Disney World?
What could we research about Disney World?
Your Discipline?
• History
• Humanities
• Science
• Math
• Etc.
Where are you TAKING your audience?
Orlando
Wet n Wild?
Texas de Brazil?
Disney World?
Ikea?
- Don’t be TOO general
- Keep your AUDIENCE in mind!
Where are you TAKING your audience?
Orlando
Wet n Wild?
Texas de Brazil?
Disney World?
Ikea?
- Don’t be TOO general
- Keep your AUDIENCE in mind!
Old vs. Young
Rides vs. Shopping
Specific Purpose Examples
At the end of my paper, my audience will be able to list three major aspects of the Disney World Theme Park.
At the end of my paper, my audience will be able to explain the 5 eras of the history of Orlando.
At the end of my speech, the audience will be able to better interact with someone from Irish
Culture based on the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.
Step 5) Select Main Points
These may be facts; these may be questions.Relates back to Question 1 on workshop
I.
II.
III.
Step 6) Create Central Idea
Three aspects of Irish Culture are the food, the music and the holidays.
1) Is this statement a full sentence? Y/N
2) Is it NOT in the form of a question? Y/N
3) Does it avoid figurative language? Y/N
4) Is it written as it will be delivered to the audience? Y/N
Step 7) Develop Main Points
Main Point 1
Main Point 2
Main Point 3
Step 8) Plan and Conduct Research
Where are you going to find answers?e.g.: websites, books, interviews:
•Interview friend Annie Doyle, Irish Native•Look at Irish Tour Guidebooks from my trip•Ask mom, personal experience•Go to Irish Pub for observation and interviews
Research without workshop:
-Googling broad terms
-Unfocused
-Plagiarism
-Information Overload
-Wasted Time
Research without workshop:
-Googling broad terms
-Unfocused
-Plagiarism
-Information Overload
-Wasted Time
Research with workshop:
-Googling narrow terms
-Focused
-Supporting individual ideas vs. reshaping the computer’s ideas
Evaluating Sources
• Authorship: who WROTE that piece of information?
• Sponsorship: who SPONSORED (paid for) publishing that information?
• Recency: how OLD is that information?
Empowerment!
Responsibility!
Ethics!
Origins…
A UK Member of Parliament: Thomas C. Hansard, ed (1817).
Parliamentary Debates. p. 1227. Retrieved on October 10, 2013.
"He should, however, beg leave to remind the conductors of the press of their duty to apply to themselves a maxim which they never neglected to urge on the consideration of government—" that the possession of great power necessarily implies great responsibility.""
Audience Centeredness!
Audience Diversity
• Be aware that not everyone is like you: Learn, Adjust and Accommodate
• Your audience must understand and believe your sources!
Step 9) Develop Transitions
Step 10) Write your basic introduction
• Open with impact: This will be a statement that will get the attention of the audience. Use quotes, humor, facts, a story, etc.
• Focus on the topic:•
Establish your Credibility:
• Connect with the Audience:
• Preview your main points: This is your Thesis Statement/Central Idea
• Open with impact: “Sláinte ! This is how you say Hello in Gaelic… Now you try it….”
• Preview your main points: Three aspects of Irish Culture are the food, the music and the holidays.
Step 10) Write your basic introduction
Step 10) Write your basic conclusion
Signal the end of your speech: In Conclusion
Summarize your main points: Three aspects of Irish Culture are the food, the music and the holidays.
End with impact: Now, let’s learn how to say goodbye in Gaelic: Slán go fóill
Step 11) Edit Outline
Step 12) Make Presentation Aids Presentation Aids are the SPRINKLES!
Cake =
Content
Icing =
Delivery
Sprinkels=
Visual Aids
Step 13) Practice
So In Conclusion…
• Ineffective and yet common research methods of our modern day Student
• The step-by-step process that allows for a logical flow of ideas…one step at a time.
