Date Approved

5-4-1998

Embargo Period

8-22-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School and Public Librarianship

Department

Special Educational Services/Instruction

College

College of Education

Advisor

Willett, Holly G.

Subject(s)

Library orientation for children

Disciplines

Library and Information Science

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to develop a method for teaching research skills to sixth graders that would be appropriate for their cognitive abilities and prepare them for the research skills required by the seventh grade curriculum. Three classroom teachers and fifty-seven sixth grade students participated in this project. A short research project served as a pretest and inventory for knowledge of research skills. A unit of research skills and project preparation was then taught to the students in a series of eight lessons. Each skill modeled during the lessons provided concrete student learning. Examples of content materials and sample bibliography entries were provided for the students to use as guides. The students then completed a posttest assignment similar to the pretest assignment. A 12-skill checklist was completed for the pretest and posttest for each student. Each skill received a satisfactory or unsatisfactory rating. The scores were used to determine whether the unit of instruction was an effective means of teaching research and project preparation skills to participating students. It was determined that a systematic process unit based on appropriate cognitive abilities increased the students' research skills and project assembly skills.

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