Questions about the exam + reminder for due dates

Due dates:  The final research essay + your complete portfolio will be due by the end of class on Thursday.  The final exam is due by the end of class on Monday, December 19.

Questions regarding the exam:

Question: please explain the bolded section of the question:

3. Chapter 3 in Bloome et al presented 4 sample essays, each of which provided an example of a different approach to discourse analysis.  Define and explain each method.  What kind(s) of research questions is each method best suited to?  Which approach is the closest match for the approach you took in your DA essay?   Was that approach the "best" approach to solve the question you posed?  Why or why not?

Different approaches to discourse analysis provide a different "window" on what is happening in the text you analyze.  Because of this, each approach will be able to answer some questions better (or worse) than others.  For example, a focus on word choice and turn taking in terms of cues within the immediate context will tell the researcher about the kind of talk within a particular situation - but the researcher will not necessarily be able to  answer questions about power relations that shaped turn taking without studying larger cultural discourses.


Question: please explain the bolded section of the question.

5.  Define ethnographic research.  What does Alsop identify as the particular usefulness of ethnographic research for English studies?  What is your perspective on the usefulness of ethnographic research for English studies?

First, I am asking what kinds of problems/questions Alsop represents as suited to ethnographic research in English studies.  Then I am asking you to state what you see as the kinds of data/answers/information ethnographic studies can contribute to English studies.  If you recall class discussion, we discussed  more and different uses for ethnographic research in English studies than Alsop lists.  If your list is the same as Alsop's = you might go into more detail or discuss particular questions ethnography is particularly useful (or not)  for answering to answer the second part of the question..

12.12 Exam + feedback on essay

We went over the exam in class - if you have further questions we can go over them on Thursday.  Also - if you need a copy of the Oral History readings - I can email them to you.

I gave you an overview of what to work on as you revise your essays.  In general => include a works cited list and pay close attention to the criteria for the essay.  Again, if you have further questions - be in touch.

On Thursday we will make sure your portfolios are where you want them - and address any remaining issues.  We will not meet on Monday, December 19.

Your final is due by 12:15 Monday, December 19.  I will not accept late exams.  It must be a .doc, docx or .rtf.

Good luck and see you Thursday.

12.12 Final Exam

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Methods categories for question I.2:  1) auto/biography; creative writing, 2) discourse analysis, ethnography,  3) quantitative methods.

Classifications for methodologies:  scientific/objective; social constructivist; activist; pragmatic/practical

Features of methodologies (see first chapter in Griffin)

Understanding of the nature of "truth" or facts => how knowledge is created

How to represent "the way the world is"

What is/is not ethical

Who "subjects" are and their role in creating research data

EXAM

ANSWERS SHOULD BE WORD PROCESSED, AND WRITTEN IN ESSAY FORM.  THE ANSWER TO A SINGLE QUESTION SHOULD NEVER  BE LONGER THAN 2 PAGES, DOUBLE SPACED. 

I.  Fundamental knowledge of how research works:  Answer one of two (60 points)

See (partial) classification of methodologies listed above.

1.  Define differences among skills, methods and methodologies; then choose two of the sample methods essays (exclude Moreno & Fetterley if you choose III.3, and use no more than one essay from the sample Discourse essays) to develop in-depth illustrations how different skills, methods & methodologies are used.  This discussion should include observations about how particular methodologies, methods, and skills shape research findings.

2.   As we discussed each research method, we reflected on how both the methodologies and the methods influenced the kind of data researchers could collect - and the kind of "truths" they could discover.  For example, we discussed how active interviews produced "findings" that were very different from traditional interviews.  Using examples from one method in each of the three categories listed at the top of the page, develop a discussion of relationships between particular methodologies and the kinds of findings they can produce. 

II.  Discourse analysis:  Answer one of three (50 points)

1. Define discourse and discourse analysis (these definitions need to be in your own words + based on readings from the course; if you provide definitions from internet sites you will not get credit for your answer).  Develop a description of the frames for describing discourse analysis (p 16) and the different approaches (chapter 3) to discourse analysis as a part of your definition.  After you have developed your definition, discuss some of the ways  you might use discourse analysis in your personal/professional life; your discussion should include examples that identify specific  contexts and approaches.

2.  Bloome et al discusses discourse analysis in terms of four broad frames:

1.             the "linguistic turn" in the social sciences

2.             the foregrounding of local event and their relationships to broader cultural and social       processes (movement between micro and macro level approaches

3.             recognition of the importance of social and historical contexts

4.             recognition that discourse processes always involve power relationships

 How did understanding discourse analysis in terms of these four frames play out in the analysis you did for your DA paper?   Which frame was most important for you?  How could you have strengthened your essay through resort to one or more of the other frames?

3. Chapter 3 in Bloome et al presented 4 sample essays, each of which provided an example of a different approach to discourse analysis.  Define and explain each method.  What kind(s) of research questions is each method best suited to?  Which approach is the closest match for the approach you took in your DA essay?   Was that approach the "best" approach to solve the question you posed?  Why or why not?

III.  Knowledge of particular methods:  Answer 3 of 6 (90 points  = 30 points /question)

1.  Discuss differences between "regular" interviews and oral history interviews?  What differences in the researchers' objectives would indicate the choice of one approach over the other?  Are there significant differences in methods?

2.  What does McCarthy's essay imply as the strengths and drawbacks of quantitative research?  What are the characteristics of a research problem that would suggest quantitative research methods as the methods of choice?  What does Alsop's essay imply as  the strengths and drawbacks of qualitative (ethnographic) research?  What are the characteristics of a research problem that would suggest qualitative research methods as the methods of choice? 

3.  As you read the sample research essays, you were asked to think about each essay as an example of a research genre, and to take note of the "genre expectations" for that essay. What are genre expectations?  How are research genres associated with particular research methods?  Use a discussion of research genre and genre expectations for Moreno  and Fetterley's  essays to develop your answer.  

4.  Discuss the similarities and differences among textual analysis, visual analysis and discourse analysis.

5.  Define ethnographic research.  What does Alsop identify as the particular usefulness of ethnographic research for English studies?  What is your perspective on the usefulness of ethnographic research for English studies?

6.  How did Evans and Cook describe the uses of auto/biography and creative writing for English Studies research?  What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of their observations? 

12.8 Grades, Presentations, and Final

NOTE:  If you want feedback on your research essay, the draft needs to be in the ENG3039 email box as an attachment by the end of the day today.  I will return the drafts with comments by Monday, and we will have an in-class workshop on revision.

We discussed the "weight" for the different assignments in calculating your grades.  They are as listed in the previous post.

Final:  We also discussed what would be included in the final, and I directed you to the study guide as a frame for preparing for the exam.  The question in the study guide cover the material that will be on the exam.  I will group questions covering similar material into 4 different categories = and you will be required to answer one question from each category.  The length and content of the answer will be determined by the question.  I will present the exam questions on Monday, and we will talk through the criteria for evaluating the exam. They will also be posted on the blog after the discussion.

Julianna and Catherine gave presentations on their research projects - the rest of you will be evaluated on teh basis of your blog post.

For next week:
On Monday you will workshop your research essays, and I will distribute the questions for the Final Exam.  Your Exam is due on Monday, December 19.

On Thursday  you will turn in your portfolio, and we will wrap up any details for the course..
Have a great weekend.

Grades

Grades for the DA project, class presentation, and research project will be based on work presented in the portfolio.

1.  Blog (response to readings; exploratory research plans, reflections, etc)                                                                                                 200 points     

                                                                                               

2.  Class presentations + participation                               200 points
    
3. Discourse Analysis project                                              200 points

4. Final exam                                                                          200 points*                  

5. Research project                                                               200 points*

                                                                                        

Total points for course                                                                            1000

12.5 Organization for research essay + presentations

The first part of class was spent reviewing the assignment sheet for the research essay - and making a plan for how to write/organize the essay.  Below are the notes from that discussion.


Organization for your essay

1.    Identify your research problem

• Connect your problem/question to existing research
• State what you are doing that is different or essential to your project

2.    Describe your research project=> what you want to accomplish with your project

3.    Reflection (focus of the essay).  The order + selection of the points below is not necessarily THE correct order - it is a general suggestion about what to consider.  As discussed in class, the selection of points and the order of your essay will depend on your particular research project.  The real criteria for organization are decisions about what you need to provide as "background" for your reader to follow your line of discussion.

1) Discussion of your choice of method=> Reflect on your choice of methods 

• choice of background scholarship (what someone else has written on your topic)
•   number/ identity of subjects
• location of your observations/identity of  your “group”/who you will talk to
• choice of research method (why interview/observation/survey/archival etc?)
• subject/participants selection=> criteria for selection

2) ethical concerns => define the particular ethical concerns for your project + address them

3) feasibility= state timeframe for your projct + how your work will fit, think about whether you have the resources/ access to subjects etc. necessary for your project; "justify" the absence or presence of research methods with respect to feasibility (and the goals of your project).


Presentations on research projects:
We spent the rest of class doing 'quick' presentations to open up/reflect on work you have done so far on your projects.  Hopefully, there will be time for the rest of you to receive input on Thursday. 


For Thursday:
Blog 18: Draft Research Essay


     In class we will continue with research project presentations, and I will answer any question/help with any issues you may have run into while writing your drafts.  I will provide feedback for the draft over the weekend and have them returned with comments as soon as I can so you have maximum time for revising. 

We will also have some discussion about questions for the exam.  As posted on the revised calendar - you will receive a copy of the exam questions an Monday, Dec 12, and your final exam will be due by the end of class on Monday, Dec 19.