postgraduate journal

06/08/2012

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“Write with effort, read for pleasure.”

How the prospect of publishing impacts on

students‟ motivation levels

LTA Conference 11th July 2012

Dr Angela Maye-Banbury, Principal LecturerJames Orr, Researcher

WRITE WITH EFFORT, READ FOR PLEASURE

Rationale for Research (1)

Too many dissertations gathering dust on shelves!

Opportunity to 'liberate' the student voice and use students'

research for more public dissemination and consumption.

To promote the continued application of original knowledge;

move from discrete dissertation production to 'enhanced,

prolonged instrumental learning'.

Enable students to capitalise on their research; to provide

positive affirmation; enhance employability and develop

writing skills; other skills.06/08/2012

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WRITE WITH EFFORT, READ FOR PLEASURE

Rationale For Research (2)

06/08/2012WRITE WITH EFFORT, READ FOR PLEASURE

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To gather evidence to support or refute the hypothesis that

journal dedicated to papers based on masters these would be

embraced by postgraduate students.

Inherent assumption that the provision of a written medium

which allows students to capitalise upon their research

findings at SHU would be universally welcome by our

postgraduate students.

Research Context


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Postgraduate students in the Department of Architecture and Planning.

PG students doing the following routes: housing, regeneration; planning, environmental management and public rights of way.

Students had just completed the Applied Research Methods module

Had prepared two assessments elements to inform their dissertation: (i) outline research proposal and another more detailed proposal (refining objectives; developing methodology (ii) fuller literature review).

Research Objectives


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To assess the extent to which the prospect of

publishing findings based on a masters dissertation

would impact on student motivation levels.

To review the relevance of students' multiple goals

and student engagement when faced with the

prospect of having work published (Greeno, 1998;

Pintrich 2000a; 2000b and 2000c).

Review of interrelated variables

Employability

Self esteem

Peer affirmation

External validation

Confidence

Increased motivation

Increased well being

Increased work ethic

Other


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Methodology


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Mixed Methods: The Survey

Quantitative and qualitative questionnaire (44)

Quantitative measures to see how much the

students agreed with the concept.

Qualitative to allow them to develop their answers

and views.

Focus group (5) (Recorded)

Generate more detailed answers from what was said

in the questionnaire.

https://www.research.net/s/857WKHX

Key Findings - Questionnaire


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95% Agreed with the concept of the journal;

90% of the students said they would be willing to have their work published;

90% said it would be great for their CV and job interviews;

72% said it wouldn’t have a negative impact on them if they were not in the journal;

50% said it wouldn’t change the quality of their work.

Positive Student Support (1)


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"I think it is an opportunity that

the the University clearly should

p provide to postgraduate

students. I think a way of

distinguishing work which is a

means to passing the course

and work which seeks to

achieve something of broader

value would be helpful and

motivating".

"I think its a great effort.

It will increase the name

and fame of SHU and

make me proud to say i

was a student of SHU .I

appreciate this effort very

much".

Positive Student Support (2)


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"I think it's a great idea, I think

it'll be rewarding to see a hard

project like a dissertation get

more attention in a journal. It

will be useful for future students

and give confidence to the

people published to show their

work is worthwhile".

I think it is a fantastic

opportunity to showcase your

work after working

tirelessly to perfect it. It will

also be useful to know what

your peers think of it. If I had

such a resource right now, I

would have a better

understanding of what is

expected of me and what

quality I need to aim for.

Anything that helps students

reach their potential quicker is

always welcome.

Points For Further ReflectionInternational Students


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I think it is a good

idea but

International

students may

need some extra

help

for benefiting from

it.

Will be very hard for

international students

Ranking

1. Confidence (63%)

2. Employability (54%)

3. Self - esteem (46%) & external validation (46%)

4. Peer affirmation (42%) and increased motivation (42%)

5. Increased work ethic (38%)

6. Increased well being (17%)

7. Other (8%)


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Key Findings – Focus Group


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Students were saying it would ease the selection

process of picking a dissertation topic.

It would help with the structure of the project.

Unanimous vote that students should be a part of the

marketing and design team of the journal.

Touched on confidence and benefits with jobs.

Conclusions (1)

Reiterated multiple HE goals; introduced new motivators

such as helping students to identify suitable dissertation

topic and how to proper academic citation.

Highlighted the importance of maximising students'

intellectual, psychological and employability capital - we

need to address this more in our pedagogical approach.

Demonstrated the importance of published work in

promoting confidence; enhance employability prospects;

self esteem, self respect and peer affirmation.


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Conclusion (2)

Accentuated specific challenges faced by some of our

international students; support needed.

Promoted staff and student understanding of the

importance of the dissertation; update supervisory

handbook guidance.

Showed gap in resources: what is a suitable thesis topic?

Appetite for student involvement - make it student led


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Moving Forward (1)


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To go ahead with the student journal in 2012/13

(journal ratified by Department in Feb 2012)

To develop the model developed in Built

Environment so the journal is more student led

(editorial/marketing).

To integrate into Architecture end of year show as

exposition of high quality work.

To decide criteria for dissertations selected for

invitation to publish; 2.1. or above but also string 2.2.

standard.

Moving Forward (2)


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See if work planning hours available.

Ask for expressions of interest re: editorial panel.

Find budget £250 for hard copies.

Consider other potential e.g.distribution of journal in

open days

References


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Greeno,J (1998) „The situativity of knowing, learning and research,The American Psychologist, 53, pages 2 – 56.

Pintrich (2000a) „An achievement goal theory perspective on issuein motivational terminology, theory and research‟,

Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25, pages 92 – 105.

Pintirch J R (2000b) „Educational psychology in the millennium: Alook backward and a look forward‟, Educational

Psychologist, 35 pages 221 – 226.

Pintrich J R (2000c) „Multiple goals, multiples pathways: the role ofgoal orientation in learning and achievement,

Journal of Education Psychology, 92, pages 544- 555.

Thank You For Listening

Any Questions?


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