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Dissertation Information for Carol Gordon

NAME:
- Carol Gordon

DEGREE:
- Ed.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Education

SCHOOL:
- Boston University (USA) (1995)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: Concept mapping as a pre-search activity in the research process

Abstract: A qualitative study addressed difficulties students have conducting effective information searches in research assignments. The setting was an automated library of an independent school in Europe. Ten biology students were chosen by purposive sampling; user profiles monitored students' ages, computer experience, native language, grades and test scores. An experimental group used concept mapping while a control group received the same classroom instruction without mapping. Data on searching behavior were collected using think-alouds, interviews, debriefing and journals. Analysis explored how concept mapping affected subject and key word searching in full-text and index databases of print and electronic search tools; how it influenced search strategies; how librarian and teacher expert searches differed; how student searching related to stages of the search process. The Fano measure from information theory showed there was a greater probability that concept mappers will use print rather than electronic means, that they will search in the electronic SIRS rather than the OPAC, that in electronic searching they will use subject heading rather than key word. In print, as opposed to electronic searching, measures showed mappers had a larger number of search terms, employed opening moves, reformulations, search operations and relevancy judgments more often and executed more depth than breadth searching. In all cases probability measured at least half a nat (one nat equals 2.718), indicating chances were approaching twice as likely that searchers exhibiting these characteristics in print indexes will be mappers. Larger differences between the groups emerged in electronic searching, where mappers spent less time. Quantitative data verified mappers were more thorough and efficient, reformulating by shifting synonyms and moving from general to specific search terms, making more connections among search tools, and terminating searches to read rather than when they depleted their search terms. Stronger focus formulation emerged as the most important determinant of searching behavior. Mappers, more sensitive to the search environment, adjusted their strategies based on metacognitive knowledge that they were more successful in print indexes, searched for new terms and information, and were less sensitive to information overload.

MPACT Scores for Carol Gordon

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2010-09-26 00:23:55

Advisors and Advisees Graph

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Students under Carol Gordon

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- Kathel Dunn - Rutgers University (2010)