Lifting the Lid on the Black Box: Primary Literature Engagement in Graduate Research Skill Development

• In Event: 72.035 - Graduate Preparation and Faculty Development

Abstract

Graduate advisors are assumed to be instrumental to student research skill acquisition yet little is known about how the relationship actually facilitates skill development. Recent literature indicates primary literature engagement to be a threshold to researcher development but that advisor reports of student skills are often inaccurate. This study compares advisor and student self-reported research behaviors between novice researcher threshold crossers and non-crossers to lift the lid on the “black box” of this private pedagogical space. Successful threshold navigation was found to be associated with three characteristics: time-management skills, self-report of primary literature skills, and lack of teaching responsibilities during the first year. These findings offer insight into how graduate advisors can facilitate skill development and help students manage responsibilities.

Authors

• Sarah Urquhart, Texas State University

• Michelle A. Maher, University of Missouri - Kansas City

• David F. Feldon, Utah State University

• Joanna Angeline Gilmore, The University of Texas - Austin

• Briana Crotwell Timmerman, University of South Carolina