The purpose of this study was to elicit information by questionnaire regarding the teaching of the research paper in selected high schools. The research was planned to secure information in seven general areas: (1) Reasons for teaching the research paper; (2) Methods of describing the research paper; (3) Objectives for teaching the research paper; (4) Procedures for teaching the research paper; (5) Problems encountered in the students' completed papers; (6) Judgments and opinions about the current program, and (7) Suggestions for improvement.The investigator mailed questionnaires to 88 English teachers who teach the research paper in 29 school corporations willing to participate. Of the 88 participants, 59 or 67 percent returned usable questionnaires. The analyses of these data were conducted by frequency count and percentage frequency.Major Findings1. The teachers' primary reason for teaching the research paper was that it was a syllabus requirement.2. Teachers described the research paper by giving a verbal explanation of the requirements, by using a research paper manual or the pertinent section in the textbook, and by showing a sample research paper.3. Teachers differentiated between the research paper and the theme by use of documentation, by use of source materials, and by length.4. Objectives cited were learning library usage, using footnotes and bibliography, and organizing large amounts of material.5. Major teaching procedures used were as follows: they allowed the students to choose any topic with teacher approval; they selected a variety of style manuals; they required books and magazines as source materials; they required balancing paraphrase and quotation; they spend more than ten days in class on this project, and they had students give an audio-visual presentation as a culminating procedure.6. Problems most often found in completed papers were lack of transition and continuity of ideas, grammatical/ mechanical errors, and failure to narrow the topic.7. In evaluating this assignment, the teachers agreed with these assertions: it helped students acquire respect for scholarly work; it helped students learn self-discipline, and it prepared students for college. Further, the majority wanted it maintained in the curriculum. The teachersdisagreed with these evaluative statements: the students lack sophisticated writing skills; library facilities were inadequate; library skills should be the primary objective, and short papers should replace the research paper. The teachers were ambivalent toward the ideas that the research paper should be taught only to college-bound students and that it is useful for non-college bound students.8. Improvement suggestions favored included: incorporating a unit in logic and critical thinking, culminating with an oral report or written resume, and obtaining feedback from colleges on the quality of the students' preparation. Improvement proposals rejected included: teaching only the mechanics as a service, and having an in-service program. The teachers were ambivalent toward the assertion that the research paper be a separate course. Suggestions received with indifference were concluding with an audiovisual presentation and presenting the project in a team teaching situation.9. Teachers suggested that below the eleventh grade, only the mechanics be taught. Some offered procedural and curricular suggestions. Most chose to re-assert the positive value of this assignment in high school.Research paper preparation in these high schools can be characterized as consistent. The teachers expressed satisfaction with the current status, minimizing the need or desire for change. Any conclusions or implications from this study must be considered within its limitations, namely a select group of respondents in a limited geographic area.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/181496 |
| Date | January 1974 |
| Creators | Trusock, Dorothy M. |
| Contributors | Pogue, E. Graham |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | x, 152 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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