reconstructing the research habits of today’s student susan houts, assistant professor

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: Houtss@easternflorida.edu

… to have the resources, information and attitudes that allow you to take action and achieve a desired goal.

SPC2608: Houtss@easternflorida.edu

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

Choice of content

Quality CONTENT = Quality Material

SPC2608: Houtss@easternflorida.edu

Vs.

Vs.

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!

You are responsible for every word

that comes out of your mouth.

SPC2608: Houtss@easternflorida.edu

Ethics!

“With great power, comes great responsibility.”

Stan Lee

SPC2608: Houtss@easternflorida.edu

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.