An Action Research on the Design of

Internet Research Projects for Students

Hideto D. Harashima

Maebashi Institute of Technology

Introduction

Dull writing practice Importance of adopting research projects for

writing development The WWW -- rich information resource for

EFL students Most EFL students are unfamiliar with

information search in a foreign language How should we guide them?

Four Years of Empirical Study

Indivisualistic Action Research Trials and reflections on improving “Search

and Write” activities Seven Keys to a Good Search and Write

Project

Seven Keys to a Good Search and Write Project 1. Teacher control 2. Student autonomy 3. Variety of information sources 4. Subjective over Objective information search 5. Appropriate instruction on search techniques 6. Appropriate selection of research topics and

methods 7. Project memo

1. Teacher control

Novice students to the Internet Disoriented and easy to go astray Class gets disorderly Sheltered research projects with substantial

teacher control is desirable a portal site as a base CIA World Fact Book project (1)

2. Student autonomy

The essence of research -- autonomous pursuit of truth --must be fostered.

Students need to be exposed to a variety of information sources.

They need to learn the information search skills.

3. Variety of information sources

Problems with one or limited sources:• critical thinking habits• Media Literacy• passive attitude among students• plagiarism

Freedom to visit a variety of sources Autonomy and responsibility

Project (2) Project (3-0)

4. Subjective over Objective information search Objective information search

• straightforward and easy• Problems

• doesn’t stimulate students’ motivation for intellectual investigation

• doesn’t develop their search skills

• doesn’t foster their critical thinking habits

• susceptible to plagiarism

Subjective information search• elevate students’ overall research competence• encourage them to think critically• urge them to create their own views after

evaluating different opinions• promotes Media Literacy

5. Appropriate instruction on search techniques

Autonomous research may end up in dismay without proper guidance on search techniques

Search techniques• search directories• search engines• effective keywords• advanced search techniques• other search tools/databases• research aid organizations

Some useful keywords

For objective information search

Data Numbers Records Statistics List Table Standing

Comparison Countries Facts Recent Transition Increase Decrease

For subjective information search

Opinions Views Review Discussion Forum Comparison Analysis Assessment Evaluation

Criticism Critic Argument Opposition Objection Controversy Conflict Difference Repercussion

Project (3)

6. Appropriate selection of research topics and methods

Not all research topics are suited for Internet search.

We need wisdom on the selection of research topics.

Awareness of the advantages and the disadvantages of Internet research and library research in terms of effectiveness and quality of information

Suitable areas of queries for the two methods

Topics suitable for researching on the Internet and in the Library

Internet current issues statistical data frequently updated data discussion results quick data search personal information controversial issues institutions and their activities IT-related information business-related information

Library historical or chronological events established values, thoughts,

theories, systems famous people in history works of specific areas

(literature, art, architecture, etc.) information about 3rd-world

countries academic studies in depth

7. Project Memo Quite a few students misunderstand task

objectives. They don’t like to consult with or show their

incomplete work to teachers. What is citation about? Have students to submit an initial and interim

project memo Help them hold clearer idea about the course of the

project

Project (4)

References

Brown-Daniel Library (2001) Library Research [Online]. Available: http://www.tnstate.edu/library/library_research.htm

Dodge, B. (2001) Seven Steps Toward Better Searching [Online]. Available: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/WebQuest/searching/sevensteps.html

Nunan, D. (1992) Research Method in Language Learning, CUP. 3. Pepperdine University Library (2001) Seven Steps to Effective

Library Research [Online]. Available: http://rigel.pepperdine.edu/instruction/bisteps.html

Wilson, F. (2001) Effective Library Research [Online]. Available: http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/resources/

Thank you!

http://keiko.maebashi-it.ac.jp/