Analyzing and Support for Study

Analyzing Related Literature to Support a Study

Cornelia Ross

EDU 671 Fundamentals of Educational Research

Dr. Kathleen Lunsford

April 20, 2015

Analyzing Related Literature to Support a Study

            To gain insight into an area of focus it is wise to perform some early literature research. Mills (2014) notes that literature research can help to narrow an area of focus, help with research questions, gaining keywords for searching previous studies, help with eliminating mistakes, and helps to substantiate a study proposal. Finding reliable sources however, is not as easy as entering search terms into the Google search engine. The internet has a vast amount of information, and it is important to find credible sources to help validate a study proposal. Analyzing related literature can be accomplished by checking the author’s credentials with the help of Barker’s (2012) checklist, investigate the URL, what is the affiliation of the author to the organization and what is the credential of the organization, why was the article put on the web,

Web search

APA Citation	Emig, J. (1977). Writing as a mode of learning. College composition and communication, Vol.28, No.2(May,1977), pp.122-128
Source Type	Journal article – College Composition and Communication
Annotation	Connects writing with learning theories. Detailed description of how writing connects to learning showing the differences in language application to reading, and listening.

APA Citation	Thaiss, C., & Zawacki, T. M. (2006). Engaged writers dynamic disciplines.Engaged writers dynamic disciplines.
Source Type	book
Annotation	A research study in academic standard of writing and individual variations. Students account on how they learn.

APA Citation	Burguillo, J. C. (2010). Using game theory and competition-based learning to stimulate student motivation and performance. Computers & Education, 55(2), 566-575.
Source Type	Journal
Annotation	Article on competition-based learning, includes results of student survey

APA Citation	Means, B. (2010). Technology and education change: Focus on student learning. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 42(3), 285-307.
Source Type	Journal
Annotation	Research to inform about technology application. Importance of collaboration between teachers. Classroom management to improve learning.

APA Citation	Ertmer, P. A., & Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A. T. (2010). Teacher technology change: How knowledge, confidence, beliefs, and culture intersect. Journal of research on Technology in Education, 42(3), 255-284.
Source Type	Journal
Annotation	Discusses the teacher rather than the student. Teacher’s confidence in technology. Pedagogical belief system of the teacher and the implementation of technology.

Library search

APA Citation	Wilson, L. E., & Sipe, S. R. (2014). A Comparison of Active Learning and Traditional Pedagogical Styles in a Business Law Classroom. Journal Of Legal Studies Education, 31(1), 89-105. doi:10.1111/jlse.12010
Source Type	Academic Journal
Annotation	A study for comparing traditional pedagogical teaching application to active learning. Results showed that active learning classrooms do not show improved learning. More study over time is needed.

APA Citation	Lumpkin, A. L., Achen, R. M., & Dodd, R. K. (2015). Student Perceptions of Active Learning. College Student Journal, 49(1), 121-133.
Source Type	Academic Journal
Annotation	Compares passive learning of lectures to active learning in writing. Asking probing questions for short writing assignments helps students to think about the material.

APA Citation	Wolfson, N. E., Cavanagh, T. M., & Kraiger, K. (2014). Older Adults and Technology-Based Instruction: Optimizing Learning Outcomes and Transfer. Academy Of Management Learning & Education, 13(1), 26-44. doi:10.5465/amle.2012.0056
Source Type	Academic Journal
Annotation	Discusses technology based learning and age. Discusses cognitive changes with age. Reduced working memory in older adults. Discusses application for technology based learning.

APA Citation	Aljezawi M, Albashtawy M. Quiz game teaching format versus didactic lectures. British Journal Of Nursing [serial online]. 2015;24(2):86-92. Available from: CINAHL with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed April 15, 2015
Source Type	Journal
Annotation	A comparison study for traditional lecture learning and Jeopardy-style game format. Students in the Jeopardy-style format had a higher retention rate. On the evaluation survey the Jeopardy-style students noted a more positive perception

APA Citation	Burrows, V. A., MccNeill, B., Hubele, N. F., & Beellamy, L. (2001). Statistical Evidence for Enhanced Learning of Content through Reflective Journal Writing. Journal Of Engineering Education, 90(4), 661-667.
Source Type	Journal
Annotation	Students were assigned to utilize reflective journals. Journaling was voluntary; findings showed students use of journal improved test scores.

Source Selection

The two articles I chose were, “Quiz game teaching format versus didactic lectures”, which I retrieved from the Ashford library, and “Technology and education change”, retrieved from Google scholar. Both articles chosen are studies and are featured in educational journals. Each article addresses the focus of the study and seems to add value to help substantiate the proposed action. Barbara Means received her doctorate from Berkley and is the Director at the Center for Technology in Learning. Both Aljezawi and Albashtawy, have credentials as Assistant Professor and Associate Professor, and the article was peer reviewed. This literature will contribute value to the study, since Jeopardy is one of the proposals to add to the curriculum.

Learning

            Google Scholar made it harder to search for articles to help substantiate the study, but it helped with the search in the Ashford University library. Articles found in Google were more difficult to analyze for inclusion. Once I found the articles on Google, I entered the title into the search engine in the school’s library to analyze it further. Google shows a broader array of literature this can help with re-evaluating research questions and finding more key terms. Keeping research organized through a matrix is very helpful, since the annotations help to clarify why the article was chosen. When I first started out doing research for assignments during my Undergraduate Program I never took notes about my articles and just kept the references. This method made it hard for me to go back and remember what article added value to what idea. I would have to read some articles more than twice to remember why I saved it in the first place. I later started making a list, but I like the matrix for organizing.

Adaptations

            While the internet has a wealth of knowledge it may not always be accurate. It is important to include sources, which are credible. In order to know that a source is credible it is important to do some research on the source itself. The provided checklist by Barker (2012) can help with this process. The web search can provide more key words and help to narrow the focus for studies. I intend to use this checklist as a guide for future studies, when I will no longer have access to the AU library.

Application

The information I found will help to substantiate the course of action I proposed for my studies. One of the studies has similarities to my proposed study. I can research the literature provided in the study to gain more insight into the issue and proposed solutions.  The second study reported by Means (2010) helps to provide information, which reports that technology itself does not teach but classroom management and teachers must operate well to help facilitate student learning.

References

Aljezawi M, Albashtawy, M. (2015). Quiz game teaching format versus didactic lectures. British  Journal of Nursing [serial online]. 2015;24(2):86-92. Available from: CINAHL with Full          Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed April 15, 2015

Barker, J.  (2012).  Evaluating web pages checklist.  The Regents of the University of California.  Retrieved from http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/webeval  QuestionsToAsk.pdf

Means, B. (2010). Technology and education change: Focus on student learning. Journal of          Research on            Technology in Education, 42(3), 285-307.