PREPARING A GROUP RESEARCH PROJECT

A Student Support Services (SSS) English/Reading Workshop Presentation

WELCOME / OBJECTIVES

Welcome, Participant. The objectives of this workshop are to:

• Instruct students on basics of organizing a group of peers into a research team.

• Provide students with a research process/ organization plan.

• Instruct students on organizing a basic panel discussion (present research interestingly).

• Offer students group research planning practice.

First . . . Organizing a Group

1. Group members should circulate a list on which they each record individual contact information. This builds a communication foundation and network.

2. Group members should introduce themselves and assess their skill strengths upfront and truthfully. (Example: good at . . . writing; locating online

information / research; organization; oral communication; computer applications; style/formatting; art or graphic design; etc. )

Organizing a Group, cont.

3. Based on information gained through member introductions, the group should select a group leader. Group leaders may begin to emerge at this point. Choose someone with good writing, organization skills, and stress management skills, and not just someone who talks a lot.

4. Group leader should have a copy of everyone’s e-mail address and phone contact information. Use e-mails when possible and use phone only in emergency. Use good phone etiquette. Group leader may at some point have to initiate the reassigning of tasks if a group member is having difficulty meeting obligation. Stay in contact.

Organizing a Group, cont.

5. The group leader should lead group members in a discussion of the assignment and in designating areas of responsibility to each group member. (Share the workload as equally as possible.)

Write, copy and distribute to group members a sheet which includes the (a) thesis or research question, (b) the task distribution / responsibilities, (b) contact information for group members.

NOTE: Group members should work together to create a research Plan of Development. Write this Plan. Working together establishes group unity of thought and a shared research vision.

Organizing a Group, cont.

6. Group leader should work with group to establish a general time line / project objectives/ due dates for group meeting and work dates. Group leader is not the dictator of the group. The leader coordinates group activities and also works on specific tasks.

NOTE: All written parts of the research assignment (including visual rhetoric or data [PowerPoint presentations included], should be a group priority and not just the responsibility of one person. Everyone in group should locate data and author part of the research.

Allot appropriate time for editing, revising and proofing all written material. Even though several people may have worked on the written material, it should be organized and appear as a unified composition of research.

Select the font style and size for all printed materials and make sure all group members know and follow the same formatting standards.

7. Group leader should contact each group member to ensure everyone is working according to the agreed upon schedule. However, do not harass group members who are not working as scheduled. Remind them of the deadlines once and offer your assistance.

Organizing a Group, cont.

8. Group leader may have to notify instructor discretely if problems arise or if all group members are not participating or sharing the workload. Do not wait too long before notifying your instructor of a serious group problem. Discuss with the instructor the groups’ attempt or attempts to correct the problem internally. Ask your instructor for advice or guidance.

9. A scheduled meeting with the instructor and all members of the group may be necessary to correct serious problems. Be direct, yet tactful. Focus on the problem, not on an individual’s character. (Example: Problem may include meeting deadlines; attending meetings; communicating obstacles; sharing the workload; etc.). Be prepared, for some instructors will want you to handle the problem yourself.

Organizing a Group, cont.

10. Group leader may need to give the instructor progress reports or make technology request (i. e. PowerPoint equipment; white board, audio equipment, etc.).

E-mails are an option that may provide group with helpful written documentation and that may be a practical and convenient communication tool.

11. Group leader should schedule a run-through of the presentation a few days before the due date. If a group member does not attend the run-through, the group members in attendance should take the initiative to split the task and complete it together. The Group leader and group members working on the newly assigned task should meet once more to make sure task is complete.

Organizing a Group, cont.

12. The morning before the presentation, the group leader may elect to call or e-mail group members to remind them to bring all presentation materials to the presentation site at a specified time.

13. All written research should be copied at least a day before the presentation and each group member should have at least one copy in their possession at the presentation site.

Organizing a Group, cont.

13. On the day of presentation, the group leader should be early and ready to motivate group. If time permits, group may practice once more.

14. Following the presentation and if feasible, the group should meet to celebrate their accomplishment. The presentation should be bonding experience.

A Basic Research Approach

• Invention (Topic / Thesis)

• Collection (Sources/ Bibliography)

• Organization (Outline or Plan of Development)

• Drafting (Research discussion)

• Editing / Revising / Proofreading

Slide retrieved October 25, 2006, at http://www.libarts.ucok.edu/english/comp/powerpoint/ResearchProcess.ppt#258,3,BORING!!

Basic Research Steps

Regardless of type of research project, oral or written, first, invent . . .

1. Choose a topic

2. Begin preliminary reading

3. Narrow the subject

4. Develop a preliminary (working) thesis statement

Retrieved 04/20/07 at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/research/r_ressteps.html

Basic Research Steps (cont.)

Next, gather data . . . 1. Compile a bibliography (list of sources).

Consider annotating your bibliography.2. Check out library reference sections . . .

a. general and subject-specific bibliographies b. indexes (books and collections, literature in periodicals, newspaper indexes, pamphlet indexes)c. library electronic catalogue

Basic Research Steps (cont.)

Thirdly, take notes . . .

1. Develop a preliminary outline

2. Evaluate your source material. Determine which is primary material and which is secondary material.

3. Begin note-taking (Remember to site sources in notes so that you will not forget from where you retrieved information.)

4. Avoid plagiarism

Basic Research Steps (cont.)Then, write the paper . . . 1. Develop the final or formal outline.2. Prepare to write:

a. put your notes in the order that your outline is inb. consider your audience; decide on tone and style.

3. Write the rough (first) draft.4. Check your documentation carefully.5. Revise for logic problems and then rewrite.6. Check the format. (MLA, APA, etc.).7. Proofread for errors.

Visual Aids / Visual Rhetoric

• Create an Appendix of visual images and include Appendix as part of your research project.

• Make sure your visual aids are large enough for audience to view.

• Make sure your visual aids are relevant to the research discussion.

• Do not give too many visual aids

• Cite the sources of information that you use for or within your visual.

Remember . . . The Soul of Any Research is . . .

•Collection (Researching/Gathering)(Developing a Bibliography and Notes)

•Organization (Outlining andDevelopment Planning)

•Drafting (Composing/Revising)

Make sure everyone in group participatesin at least two of these aspects of

the research process.

Orally Presenting Research

• Appeal to all types of learners: (1) visual (Prefer reading materials and handouts;

videos; PowerPoint).

(2) auditory (Prefer music; sound effects; clear speakers.); and

(3) tactile (Enjoy hands-on experiments, practice skills, and actual demonstrations).

• Organize presentation so that everyone in group speaks on the topic.

Consider a Panel Discussion . . .• A Panel Discussion is an interesting an organized way to

present research information, especially when a presentation must last at least 15 minutes. Risk of this format is that controversy or passions may be sparked.

• A successful panel discussion requires presenters to read and think critically about literature or data published on a particular topic.

• The discussion presenters offer their critical perspectives, analysis or evaluations of research data in the presence of an audience and in discussion format, and not just as a speech.

• Transitions are critical to help audience follow the theme of discussion. One group member should moderate.

Retrieved 03/19/2007 at www.users.muohio.edu

Panel Discussion, cont.

• At the end of the discussion, the presenters may answer follow-up questions from the audience or moderator.

• Each person in the group must participate orally and must contribute researched information.

QUESTIONS?COMMENTS?

Practice ExerciseGeneral Topic

Three Ways In Which Disasters Impact A Nation

1) List the names of your group members on the form. 2) Each person in the group is to discuss with the group what he or she

perceives as a strengths he or she brings to the group.

3) Select a group leader and complete the following steps:

A -- Select a disaster as your focus example. Write the focus example.

B -- Brainstorm and List three ways that the disaster your group selected has impacted the nation in which the disaster occurred.

C – Write a thesis statement that your group agrees to use.

D – Write a plan of development for this research project. Use the form in your packet.

E – Each person is to submit a completed form to the workshop instructor.

F. Complete the workshop evaluation and turn it in to the workshop instructor.

Conclusion

• SSS hopes this presentation has given you some useful information.

• Feel free to suggest any other topics that you would like to see presented. Stop in the Office located in the Shackelford Hall Annex or Phone: 334-670-5985.

• Have a great learning experience here at Troy University.

PREPARING A GROUP RESEARCH PROJECT

A Student Support Services (SSS) English/Reading Workshop Presentation

Presentation developed by: Rebecca C. Money, English/Reading Specialist; Student Support Services; Shackelford Hall Annex; Troy University; Troy, AL 36082; Phone: 334-670-5985;

rmoney@troy.edu / PPT dev: 2007/04-09

Troy University Troy, Alabama 36082

Student Support Services

Buffie Edwards, CoordinatorEldridge Hall, Room 24; Troy University; Troy, AL 36082

Phone: 334-670-5985; bmedwards@troy.edu

THE END