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Shifting the Language of Research Using Problem-based Learning
Mark Dibble
Texas Lutheran University
What are you doing when you do research?
Student view of research
Research is about finding information Research is about finding information on a
topic Research is static
Faculty view of research
Research is about answering questions, solving problems
Problem based, not topic based Questions direct the research Circular – information leads to more
questions, more things to explore
The Problem
Students are confused about what research is actually about.
Students do not view research the same way as faculty
What are you doing when you are doing research?
Research is not about finding information for information’s sake
Research is not about topics.
Instead, research is about solving problems, answering questions
Topics
Large Unfocused Static Offers no direction
Research Problems
Focused Directed Smaller than topics Have a purpose
Example of a topic
Movie Times
Example of a Research Problem
When and where is “Movie X” playing?
Example of a Topic
Medical Ethics
Example of a Research Problem
Recently a medical researcher in Korea was accused of falsifying his research. What effect do his actions have on other medical research efforts? Why might a researcher make false claims? What role does the medical community play in “policing” research results?
Example of a Research Problem
For the last couple of years, Dove has run an advertising campaign featuring “real women.” Does an advertising campaign like this differ from traditional advertising for hygiene care products? How does advertising influence our ideas of what products a “real women”
should use or how they are suppose to look?
Example of a Research Problem
Many issues have come up during the presidential debates. One issue which has caused some division is the issue of illegal
immigration. One idea which has been proposed to control illegal immigration is the
building of a fence between the United States and Mexico. What would building a fence along the boarder entail and would it be
successful in controlling illegal immigration?
More on Topics
Topics do not eliminate any avenues to explore.
Everything is open. There is no automatic way to limit information.
More on Research Problems
Research problems close some avenues of research.
Not all information will answer a research problem.
Problem-based Learning
Provides a pedagogical method for focusing on research problems
Provides a way to model good research problems to students
Provides a way to show the difference between topics and research problems
What is Problem-based Learning
Developed in Medical Schools Designed to mirror real world situations Is student focused Involves hands-on activities Instructor serves as a guide not the giver of
knowledge Mirrors the research process Relates to the Information Literacy Process
Why use Problem-based Learning
It is student focused – wanted to shift the learning from lecture to hands-on
It can be used to model the research process Students know how to find information
already – the key is teaching them to find good information
Our Learning Objectives
To get students to think about why they are doing research
Model good research questions
Shift the emphasis away from just finding information to thinking about what information one needs to find
Our Learning Objectives
Show students that they need to think about their research before they look for information
Show students that different search tools provide different types of resources
Applying Problem-based Learning
Composition class – first time we are seeing the students
Meet with the classes twice
1st Session
In the classes normal classroom Introduce students to research problem Students work in groups Guided by worksheet Instructor monitors progress and offers
suggestions to groups
1st Worksheet
Research Problem:
With the increased reliance on standardized tests to measure academic achievement, everyone needs to be assured that the tests do not have any bias. Is there a difference between the way the genders are taught and take tests? Could these differences create an inherent bias in standardized tests?
What information will you need to solve this research problem?
1st Worksheet cont.
Where do you think you will find this information?
Search strategy, what keywords and phrases will you use to search for information?
Between now and when you come to the Library work through the Bulldogs Basic Skills tutorial at http://www.tlu.edu/library_bbs_main.
2nd Session
In library computer lab Students stay in groups from 1st session Each group has select resources to explore Guided by worksheet Instructor monitors progress and offers
suggestions to groups
2nd Worksheet
Using your search strategy suggestions from part 1, explore to following sources to see if you can find appropriate information resources to answer your research problem.
Library CatalogAcademic Search CompleteLexis-Nexis Academic Universe
These resources are available on the Library homepage: http://www.tlu.edu/library. Academic Search Complete and Lexis-Nexis are available by following the “Database Link.”
What keyword(s) or search phrase did you start with?
Does your search strategy provide you with good results? What criteria are you using to judge your results?
2nd Worksheet cont
What type of resources are you finding with:Library Catalog:Academic Search Complete:Lexis-Nexis:
Will these allow you to answer your research problem?
Why or why not?
2nd Worksheet cont
Do you need to adjust your search strategy?
Why or why not?
What additional information do you think you will need to answer your research problem?
What using Problem-based Learning Does
Students build on own prior knowledge Involves active learning – students are not
passive learners Is relevant to what students are already
doing. Students focus on finding only relevant
information
Working with Faculty
Librarians work with faculty to design a research problem which relates to the class
Faculty need to shift their language from topics to research problems
What using Problem-based Learning has shown us
Students are concrete thinkers Students become involved in the process Librarians are able to see how students think
about research Increase in the “ah hah” moments (Boolean
operators)
Conclusions
Librarians need to model research as it is done by faculty
Research is about solving research problems Problem-based learning provides a good
framework for teaching students how to conduct research
