Treasure Hunt or Torture: Student's Perspectives on Research Projects

Abstract

Two naturalistic research studies observed forty-five eleventh grade students carrying out research paper assignments and a third such study focussed 26 third grade students. The studies took place in Alberta (Canada) in 1993; Texas (USA) in 1996; and in Washington state (USA) in 1999. From data analyzed in the interviews and written documents, the initial findings indicate that third grade and eleventh grade students feel and think about research writing activities similarly. The younger students seemed more process oriented than the older ones. The third grade students commented on enjoying reading the information on their topic and telling the facts they had learned. The older students used methods of citation and more sophisticated paraphrasing techniques. The younger students did not use any citations. The amount of blatant copying for the Texas study and the Washington study were comparable. The mental models of both age groups were surprisingly similar.