Moving Past the Research Paper: Centering Metaliteracy in Effective Research Assignment Design

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 11:45 am - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: Teaching Research Methods to Diverse Learners

Abstract

Traditional research assignments present difficulties for new researchers and faculty alike: new researchers don’t understand the expectations and assumptions hidden in the research process while faculty have attained unconscious competence and struggle to teach skills they’ve forgotten they learned. Metaliteracy provides a framework for reimagining research assignments to explicitly outline skills students need to effectively conduct research, making the process more transparent and accessible. This framework encourages the exploration of alternatives to traditional assignments––with an emphasis on cognition, critical thinking, and adaptability––to deepen students’ engagement with research projects. Our paper highlights practical strategies for embedding information and data literacy principles into assignment design to foster more inclusive, structured learning environments that empower students to recognize themselves as researchers.

Authors

• Matthew Weirick Johnson, University of South Florida

• Jennifer Slagus, Brock University