Research Skills Development South Africa, September 2016
Research Skills Development
South Africa, September 2016
A reflection
Libraries In the past
Higher Education = equipping students to read
increasingly complex books
2
User education
Information literacy
Information literacy
+
learning skills
Research skills
development
Research skills development
A ten year
journey
Context and backgroundMonash University Library’s educational objectives
- to embed research and learning skills within faculty curricula
Monash University Graduate Attributes
- leveraging research and learning skills within curricula“The development of students who are “critical and creative scholars who produce innovative
solutions to problems; apply research skills to a range of challenges and who communicate
perceptively and effectively.”
Research Skills Development (RSD) Framework (Willison &
O’Reagan, 2007), is a crucial element in achieving these attributes
Continuum of skills development
Lifelong learning
Employability skills
Graduate attributes
Transition Graduation
Citing &
referencingReading
skills
Recognising
information
need
Study skills
Discipline
discourse
Exam
preparation
Written
communication
Problem-
solving
Academic
English
Critical
thinking
Listening &
note-taking
Oral
communication &
presentation
Problem-
identification
Finding
information
Evaluating
information
Using
information
Academic
integrity /
plagiarism
Monash University Library
Key StrategiesTo strengthen:
Education
Research
Staff
development
and Facilities
6
Collaboratively Connected
7
RSD framework -
Educational strategic alignment:
Underpins Monash University
Library’s educational strategy
and Monash University’s
Education Strategic Plan 2011-
2015
The library leads the university
wide adoption and
implementation of the RSD
framework across disciplines and
coursework
8
9
Igniting the RSD Framework
Development of an RSD module for
the Campus
Growing number of RSD active
pockets across the university
Developing evaluation tools and
methods
Cross faculty collaboration
10
Communicating the potential of the RSD with senior faculty staff
and the Pro-Vice Chancellor Learning and Teaching
Breadth of Impact
Eight faculties
– Business and Economics
– Foundation
– IT
– Health Sciences
– Social sciences
– Higher. Cert. Education
Monash University Education Strategic
Plan 2011-2015
11
Objectives
Review the learning objectives and assessment for all units
Use the RSD Framework to improve task assessment
– Map major assessment tasks
– Develop and test new assessment rubrics
Ensure library sessions reflect and support the new assessment
rubrics
Using the RSD Framework to improve
task assessment
Examine existing course rubrics and examples of previous
marking/evaluation
Identify the skills embedded in the task
Map the skills to the facets of inquiry
Incorporate any unique skills requirements of the discipline
Determine a range of grading levels
Collaborate - amend rubric in response to feedback
14 March 2012
THE LITERATURE REVIEW
A. Ability to formulate own research questions
B. Use of search strategy
B. Depth and breadth of coverage of topic
B. Range of sources
C. Critical analysis of literature
C. Clarity, accuracy and precision
D. Identification of central issues and concepts
D. Headings and sections
E. Explanation of techniques to examine topic
E. Development of valid case or argument
F. Abstract
F. Introduction
F. Logical order and path
F. Conclusion
F. Illustrations and tables
F. Length
F. Clarity and succinctness
F. Style
F. Grammatical conventions
F. Statements supported by referencing
F. Appropriate referencing style and bibliography
Final marking sheet exampleOverall Grade (circled)
N P C D HD
Study overview:
(Students
organise and
critically
evaluate the information)
MARKS 0 2 4 5
Introduction of both reviews (Titles)
Not introduced Titles given but incomplete reference
Clear introduction, title, journal reference, authors
Clear introduction, title,
journal reference, author,
journal impact factor, authors background
Identification of main aims
and rationales of the 2 papers
The aims and rationale are not
identified, misstated and/or misunderstood
The aims and rationale are
identified but presented too vaguely
Most aspects of the main aims and rationale are identified
Both central aims and
rationale of the paper are
identified and clearly communicated
Identification of hypothesis of each paper
The hypotheses are not identified or are misunderstood
The hypotheses are identified but are presented too vaguely
Most aspects of the hypotheses are identified
Hypotheses identified and clearly communicated
Clear explanation of
methods and design used in both articles
Methods and design used are
not clearly stated and/or misunderstood
Description of methods and some
attempt at describing design and statistics applied is incomplete
Methods, design and statistical
analysis described but not always
explained fully or fully put in proper context
All major methodology,
design and statistical
analysis identified and
clearly explained in appropriate context
Clear explanation of results in both articles
Results are either
misrepresented or not explained
Results are mentioned with minimal explanation
Results are described accurately
but missed some points and/or lacked comparative analysis
Results are described
accurately, and succinctly
compared to each other
and explained in a broader context
Consider the validity of results
Validity and significance of
results are not adequately explained
Results are described but it is not
clear why they are valid or significant
Clear explanation of the validity
and significance of results with
some attempt to compare and contextualise them
Clear explanation of the
validity and significance of
results comparing both and
in the context of other literature
Consider the relevance of the discussion
Discussions of the 2 papers not mentioned
Discussions mentioned but
relevance to results not considered
Discussions clearly explained
with some attempt to critically analyse relevance
Discussions and their
relevance clearly analysed and stated
5
4
4
2
3
4
2
Marks
16
17
Linda Mbonambi
Monash South Africa