Comparing Research Reports
Question
You will compare and analyze a quantitative and a qualitative research report. You will use the specific articles that are attached: Gammon and Morgan-Samuel’s 2005 article, “A Study to Ascertain the Effects of Structured Student Tutorial on Student Stress, Self-esteem, and Coping,” and Kiefer and Ellerbrock’s 2012 article, “Caring and Fun: Fostering an Adolescent-Centered Community Within an Interdisciplinary Team.”
Submission Requirements
- Format: Use APA style and formatting, include a title page and reference page.
- Font: Times New Roman, 12 point.
- Length: 5 double-spaced pages, excluding title and reference pages.
Middle Grades Research Journal, Volume 7(3), 2012, pp. 1–17 ISSN 1937-0814
Copyright © 2012 Information Age Publishing, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
CARING AND FUN
Fostering an Adolescent-
Centered Community
Within an Interdisciplinary Team
Sarah M. Kiefer and Cheryl R. Ellerbrock
University of South Florida
This qualitative case study analyzed how one interdisciplinary team within a large middle school fostered a
responsive adolescent-centered community for eighth-grade team students. Data were collected during the
spring semester of the 2009 school year via observations, individual interviews, and focus group interviews
with nine participants, including four eighth-grade students, four eighth-grade team teachers, and one middle
school principal. Findings indicate developmentally responsive school organizational structures (i.e., interdis-
ciplinary teaming, flexible scheduling, homeroom, and common planning time) and team teacher characteris-
tics and practices helped to promote an adolescent-centered community that met eighth-grade students’ needs
for care and fun, in addition to other basic and developmental needs. Meeting eighth-grade students’ needs for
care and fun emerged as the major theme in the promotion of an adolescent-centered, developmentally respon-
sive community within one interdisciplinary team at the middle level.
The promotion of a middle school environ-
ment responsive to students’ needs is a vital
component of an effective middle school,
noted as one of the essential attributes of the
Association for Middle Level Education’s
(AMLE) This We Believe: Keys to Educating
Young Adolescents (National Middle School
Association [NMSA], 2010). Two important
needs young adolescents have include the need
to be cared for and experience school as fun
(Noddings, 2005; Schmakel, 2008). While
care and caring school communities have been
examined at the elementary school (Battistich,
Solomon, Watson, & Schaps, 1997) and more
recently at the high school levels (Ellerbrock
& Kiefer, 2010; Garza, 2007; Lee & Ryser,
2009; Schussler & Collins, 2006), studies that
focus on care and caring school communities
are not overly abundant at the middle level (see
Alder, 2002; Cushman & Rogers, 2008; Fer-
reira & Bosworth, 2000; Hayes Ryan, &
Zseller, 1994 as exceptions). The notion of
school as fun has been around for a long time,
as Dewey (1910) believed the perfect mental
• Sarah M. Kiefer, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, EDU 165, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, United States.
E-mail address: kiefer@usf.edu
2 Middle Grades Research Journal Vol. 7, No. 3, 2012
condition for learning was, “To be playful and
serious at the same time” (p. 218). However,
fun in school as a need students want fulfilled
within the school environment and exactly
what students consider to be “fun in learning”
has been relatively understudied at the second-
ary level (see Schmakel, 2008, as an excep-
tion). Additionally, few studies have directly
investigated how students’ needs for both care
and fun are met within the middle school.
While research highlights the importance of
a responsive middle school environment,
including structures and practices that meet the
needs of young adolescents (Eccles & Midg-
ley, 1989; Eccles & Roeser, 2011; Eccles et al.,
1993; NMSA, 2010), there has been a recent
call for additional research that examines,
embraces, and retains responsive middle level
innovations known to work well for students at
the middle level. Building relationships with
students, interdisciplinary teaming, and com-
mon planning are three practices specifically
mentioned as exemplary middle level elements
that warrant continued investigation (Caskey,
2011). Further, Caskey (2011) urges that stu-
dents be treated as “honored guests” where
they are invited into conversations, including
research conversations, and looked upon as
having noteworthy contributions to add. Lis-
tening to student voices in order to understand
how students’ needs, specifically the need for
care and fun, are met within an eighth-grade
interdisciplinary team may help to extend the
current literature base on how such middle
school practices are responsive to the needs of
today’s young adolescent. The current study
utilized a within-site qualitative case study
approach to gain a detailed understanding of
how one interdisciplinary team at a large mid-
dle school nurtured an adolescent-centered
community that was responsive to students’
needs for both care and fun in school. Interdis-
ciplinary teaming and other organizational
structures (i.e., flexible scheduling, home-
room, and common planning time), along with
developmentally responsive teacher character-
istics and practices, may promote an adoles-
cent-centered community responsive to
students’ needs for both care and fun while
also meeting other basic and developmental
needs.
An
Adolescent-Centered Community
We conceptualize an adolescent-centered
community as one that fosters an environment
responsive to students’ needs, including the
need to receive care and to experience school
as fun. We used four interconnected theoreti-
cal frameworks to help guide our conceptual-
ization and examination of how
interdisciplinary teaming may foster a respon-
sive adolescent-centered community. Specifi-
cally, we utilized self-determination theory
(Deci & Ryan, 1985; 2000), stage-environ-
ment fit theory (Eccles & Midgley, 1989;
Eccles & Roeser, 2011; Eccles et al., 1993), a
caring school community (Battistich et al.,
1997; Ellerbrock & Kiefer, 2010), and the
need for fun in school (Glasser, 1996; Larson
& Gatto, 2004; Schmakel, 2008).
According to the self-determination theory,
individuals have basic psychological needs for
competence, relatedness, and autonomy (Deci
& Ryan, 1985, 2000). Meeting these basic life-
long needs allows for intrinsic motivation and
high quality learning to flourish. The stage-
environment fit theory suggests educators can
foster a responsive environment by providing a
match between students’ developmental needs
and the opportunities afforded within the class-
room and school (Eccles & Midgley, 1989;
Eccles & Roeser, 2011; Eccles et al., 1993).
These needs must be addressed within the
school to promote positive functioning,
engagement, and motivation (Eccles, 2004).
Eccles (2004) highlights the importance of a
responsive school context:
Individuals have changing emotional, cogni-
tive, and social needs and personal goals as
they mature … schools need to change in
developmentally appropriate ways if they are
to provide the kind of social context that will
continue to motivate students’ interest and
engagement as the students mature. (pp. 125-
126)
Caring and Fun 3
Responsive school environments may pro-
vide a foundation for the establishment of a
community where students feel cared for
(Noddings, 2005) and experience school as fun
(Larson & Gatto, 2004; Schmakel, 2008).
Chaskin and Rauner (1995) conceptualize car-
ing as a way to respond to students’ basic psy-
chological needs, including the need for
belongingness, connectedness, support, and
competency. A caring school environment is
described as, “A place where students and
teachers care about and support each other,
where individuals’ needs are satisfied within a
group setting, and where members feel a sense
of belonging and identification with the group”
(Ellerbrock & Kiefer, 2010, p. 396). Glasser
(1996) claimed all human behavior is driven
by four needs, including the need for fun.
Extant theory and research suggest the notion
of “school as fun” as being associated with
pleasure, enjoyment, and a lack of academic
rigor does not fully capture the notion of the
teacher, the classroom, or learning as fun (Lar-
son & Gatto, 2004; Mann, 1996). Rather,
“school as fun” may include exciting learning
activities, forging meaningful connections to
the learning material, in addition to supportive
and caring teacher-student relationships (Lar-
son & Gatto, 2004; Schmakel, 2008). When
the school environment and the learning expe-
riences fulfill students’ needs, a sense of true
community, engagement, interest, exploration,
and enjoyment is often experienced (Battistich
et al., 1997; Ryan, 1995; Ryan & Deci, 2000).
Although a school environment where students
experience care and fun may benefit students
of all ages, it is particularly important during
early adolescence, when individuals often
undergo multiple developmental changes and
declines in academic motivation and engage-
ment (Eccles & Roeser, 2011; Eccles et al.,
1993).
Essential Components of an Adolescent-
Centered Community
Previous research indicates several compo-
nents are essential to fostering an adolescent-
centered community that meets students’
needs. Responsive school organizational struc-
tures along with teacher characteristics and
practices that make it easier to get to know stu-
dents are essential aspects of an effective mid-
dle school (Eccles et al., 1993; NMSA, 2010).
Middle schools should be organized to encour-
age positive relationships, support responsive
teacher characteristics and practices, and pro-
mote a sense of community. Organizational
structures, such as interdisciplinary teaming,
flexible scheduling, and homeroom can help
increase the amount of time team teachers
have to build positive relationships with stu-
dents, meet students’ needs, and afford teach-
ers the opportunity to collaborate with one
another (George & Alexander, 2003; Jackson
& Davis, 2000; Mertens & Flowers, 2004;
NMSA, 2010). Research suggests teaming,
along with its complementary structures, help
to create opportunities for students to establish
a deep sense of community (George & Alexan-
der, 2003; Pate et al., 1993; Powell, 1993), sta-
ble relationships and deep bonds with teachers
and classmates (George & Alexander, 2003),
and an affiliation with a peer group (Jackson &
Davis, 2000).
While organizational structures set the
foundation for an adolescent-centered commu-
nity, teachers who exhibit characteristics and
employ practices that are developmentally
responsive play a significant role in nurturing
this community. Teacher-student relationships
are among the most salient of school-based
social relationships for students, “When stu-
dents make a lasting connection with at least
one caring adult, academic and personal out-
comes improve” (Jackson & Davis, 2000,
p. 143). Responsive teachers exhibit character-
istics such as a sense of humor, “withitness,”
good management skills, respect, kindness,
helpfulness, high expectations, and being a
warm demander (Bondy & Ross, 2008; Bos-
worth, 1995; Cushman & Rogers, 2008; Eller-
brock & Kiefer, 2010; Hayes et al., 1994).
Teachers may cultivate caring relationships by
modeling caring behavior (Noddings, 2005) as
well as demonstrating interest and enthusiasm
4 Middle Grades Research Journal Vol. 7, No. 3, 2012
through the subject(s) they discuss, soliciting
prior knowledge, and encouraging identity for-
mation and exploration (Cushman & Rogers,
2008). In addition, students report responsive
teachers take time to know their students well,
provide constructive feedback, and are aca-
demically helpful (Alder, 2002; Wentzel,
1997).
Although students’ experiences of care and
fun in school are essential components of a
developmentally responsive community and
recent qualitative research has focused on stu-
dents’ perceptions of understanding middle
school as a fun and caring place, care and fun
are often examined separately. Research indi-
cates middle school students perceive teachers
as caring when they know them well, provide
guidance and academic help, hold high expec-
tations for behavior and achievement, encour-
age success and positive emotions, listen to
students, and foster opportunities to experi-
ence fun (Alder, 2002; Garza, 2007; Hayes et
al., 1994; Lee & Ryser, 2009; Wentzel, 1997).
Middle school students want teachers who
help them learn about themselves and their
classmates, are fair, treat them with respect,
and provide opportunities for students to con-
tribute to classroom decision making (Cush-
man & Rogers, 2008). Further, fun in learning
is salient at the middle level as young adoles-
cents are motivated when they perceive activi-
ties as productive, fun, enjoyable, and
interesting (Schmakel, 2008). Together these
findings suggest middle school students crave
a caring and fun community and that teachers
play a critical role in creating such a commu-
nity. However, to the authors’ knowledge, care
and fun have not been directly examined in
middle school together, in addition to the roles
that school structures and teachers play in
responding to the needs of young adolescents,
including experiencing care and fun. Thus, the
current study examines care and fun in school
in tandem to gain a deeper understanding of
how these needs may be met by responsive
school structures and responsive teacher char-
acteristics and practices at the middle level.
METHODS
Purpose
The aim of this within-site qualitative case
study investigation (N = 9) was to gain a
detailed understanding of how one interdisci-
plinary team nurtured an adolescent-centered
community that was responsive to eighth-
grade students’ needs for fun and care as well
as other basic and developmental needs. Case
study methodology was selected due to its
ability to study a single bounded system, such
as an interdisciplinary team, in great detail
(Merriam, 2009). Specifically, we wanted to
know, “How does one interdisciplinary team at
Ford Middle School foster an adolescent-cen-
tered community responsive to their eighth-
grade students’ needs, including the need for
care and fun in school?” This study was part of
a larger longitudinal multi-site qualitative case
study (N = 23) that investigated the develop-
mentally responsive nature of the transition
from middle school (eighth grade) to high
school (ninth grade). A multisource case study
approach highlighting the complexity of stu-
dent, teacher, and administrator voices pro-
vided a deep understanding of how one
interdisciplinary team fostered an adolescent-
centered community.
Context
Ford Middle School is located within a
large, socioeconomically and ethnically
diverse school district in the Southeastern
United States. At the time of data collection
(spring of 2009), Ford had a total school
enrollment of 1559 students, including 480
eighth-grade students dispersed among four
teams. Sixty percent of Ford’s population was
minority and 53% of students received free/
reduced lunch. The team highlighted in the
current study, the Rams, was a split-level sev-
enth and eighth-grade team with 56 eighth-
grade students and four teachers.
Caring and Fun 5
Identification of Participants
Purposeful sampling was used to select the
team and participants in order to help ensure an
“information-rich” case (Patton, 2002, p. 46).
This study was part of a larger, year-long mul-
tisite qualitative case study (N = 23), including
four students who were on the same split-level
seventh and eighth grade team, all four of their
team teachers, their middle school principal, in
addition to each students’ core ninth grade
school teachers (N = 13) and their high school
principal.
Nine people who were part of this larger
investigation participated in the current study.
The middle school principal selected one
eighth-grade team based on a set of predeter-
mined criteria (i.e., an interdisciplinary eighth-
grade team, student population of the team
represented the overall middle school demo-
graphics, and all team teachers were willing to
participate). All 56 eighth-grade students on
the selected split-level seventh and eighth-
grade team who met additional criteria (i.e.
were scheduled to attend the primary feeder
high school for ninth grade) were invited to
participate. Four eighth-grade students who
represented the overall demographics of the
school and team who had plans to attend the
major feeder high school and who returned
parent permission slips were selected for par-
ticipation. Student participants included Troy
(Black male), Jimmy (White male; eligible for
free and reduced lunch), Katelyn (White
female; eligible for free and reduced lunch),
and Lauren (Hispanic female). All four team
teachers participated, including Mrs. Cope-
land, Ms. Hamilton, Ms. Mirabelle, and Ms.
O’Connell along with Mrs. Cramer, the school
principal (all White females). Teaching expe-
rience ranged from 2 (Ms. Hamilton) to 9
years (Mrs. Copeland). The principal had been
an administrator at Ford for 3 years. All partic-
ipants, including parents/guardians of the stu-
dent participants, signed informed consent
forms. Students were read an informed assent
protocol and provided verbal affirmation
along with written consent prior to participat-
ing. Pseudonyms were used for all participants
and identifying components of the school
(e.g., school and team name) to ensure confi-
dentiality.
Data Collection
The present study utilized Merriam’s
(2009) qualitative case study methodology
grounded in the aforementioned theoretical
frameworks to gain insight on how one inter-
disciplinary team cultivated an adolescent-
centered community that met students’ needs
for care and fun in school. Multiple sources of
data were collected, resulting in a theme-based
description of the case (Creswell, 2007). As
part of the larger study, all four students were
followed across the middle-to-high-school
transition and were observed in their core
courses (4 team teachers in eighth grade, 13
teachers in ninth grade), as well as interviewed
individually and in focus groups at both the
eighth-grade and ninth-grade levels. Individual
students’ core teachers were interviewed at the
eighth and ninth grade levels, in addition to the
principal at both school sites.
In the current study, focus group and indi-
vidual interviews served as the primary
method of data collection with classroom
observations and archival data serving as sec-
ondary sources.
Seven interviews took place, including one
teacher team focus group interview, one
eighth-grade student focus group interview,
four individual eighth-grade student inter-
views, and one principal interview. Semi-
structured interview protocols guided all indi-
vidual and focus group interviews. A sample
question for students included, “If you could
create the best eighth-grade team teacher ever,
what would that teacher look like and how
would they teach?” A sample question for
teachers included, “Describe how you build
relationships and connections with your
eighth-grade students.” All interviews were
audiotaped and completely transcribed (total-
ing 58 single-spaced pages of transcripts).
Individual students were followed throughout
6 Middle Grades Research Journal Vol. 7, No. 3, 2012
their team classes in eighth grade. In addition,
non-structured portions of the day (e.g., before
and after school, class interchanges, lunch, in
school activities and events) were observed.
Thus, a total of 26 observations took place
(totaling approximately 24 hours of observa-
tions), including 24 classroom and lunchtime
observations, one observation of the eighth-
grade team end of year luau party and the
eighth-grade send-off. Archival evidence
included student work, lesson plans, students’
schedules, and team rules. Methods designed
to minimize subjectivity include the use of
member checks, peer reviews, a research jour-
nal, and the use of analyzed data to help collect
additional information.
Data Analysis
The current study utilized Hatch’s (2002)
inductive approach to data analysis. This
approach involves looking for patterns in data
and making general statements regarding the
phenomena. Hatch’s method was selected due
to its ability to focus deeply on a particular
entity (i.e., interdisciplinary team) and high-
light participants’ stories. Inductive analysis
begins with reading and rereading the data,
resulting in separation of data into analyzable
parts that, based on the research question,
merit further examination. These analyzable
parts are referred to by Hatch as frames of
analysis. Both researchers independently
coded all data into frames, compared and dis-
cussed each frame until a consensus was
reached. The next step in inductive analysis is
to form domains. Domains are a set of catego-
ries that reflect relationships represented in the
data. Using the main research question as a
guide, both researchers collaboratively formed
domains. Each domain was refined until it
completely and clearly represented how the
interdisciplinary team studied in this investiga-
tion promoted an adolescent-centered commu-
nity. Two domains emerged from the data:
organizational structures-student relationship
and team teacher-student relationship.
Domains were evaluated for sufficient support
and disconfirming evidence were analyzed. By
asking, “How does all this fit together?”
(Hatch, 2002, p. 173), eighth-grade students’
need for care and fun emerged as the major
theme in the promotion of an adolescent-cen-
tered community within the interdisciplinary
team. Last, a master domain sheet was created
(see Table 1) and excerpts from the data were
chosen for inclusion in this manuscript.
TABLE 1
Master Outline of Relationships That Served as a Way to
Promote an Adolescent-Centered Community Responsive to Eighth-Grade Students’ Needs
Organizational Structures-Student Relationship
− Organizational structures served as a way to promote an adolescent-centered community responsive to eighth-grade
students’ needs
• Interdisciplinary teaming
• Flexible scheduling
• Homeroom
• Common planning time
Team Teacher–Student Relationship
− Team teachers themselves helped to promote an adolescent-centered community responsive to eighth-grade students’
needs
• Teacher characteristics
• Teacher practices
Caring and Fun 7
RESULTS
Findings indicate two types of relationships
served as a way to promote an adolescent-cen-
tered community responsive to eighth-grade
students’ needs within their interdisciplinary
team, especially the need for care and fun (orga-
nizational structures-student and team teacher-
student; see Table 1). Results from the organi-
zational structures-student relationship suggest
interdisciplinary teaming, flexible scheduling,
homeroom, and common planning time were
central to the promotion of care and fun within
an adolescent-centered community. Results
from the team teacher-student relationship sug-
gest developmentally responsive teacher char-
acteristics and practices may have helped to
promote an adolescent-centered community
where students’ needs for care and fun were
met.
Organizational Structures-Student
Relationship: Promoting a Caring and
Fun Adolescent-Centered Community
Teaming is very important to me. It’s the
whole child that we look at in middle school.
We are looking at building relationships, a lot
of physical and social things going on.
Things that they don’t always share with their
parents. Things that they share with a friend
and hopefully with teachers through relation-
ships. I want them to leave Ford [Middle
School] with a good foundation in education
but also good human nature. How to seek
advice, how to look for help, how to be a
leader, how to know when to step back, these
are all just as important as the academic and I
feel like if we don’t give that to them in mid-
dle school, I’m not sure where they are going
to get it. —Mrs. Cramer, Principal
As reflected in Mrs. Cramer’s quote above,
interdisciplinary teaming is viewed as the heart
of a responsive, adolescent-centered commu-
nity. Within the organizational structures-stu-
dent relationship, interdisciplinary teaming
along with its complimentary structures (i.e.,
flexible scheduling, homeroom, and common
planning time) helped to set the foundation
that fostered an adolescent-centered commu-
nity for eighth-grade team students. Specifi-
cally, organizational structures provided
opportunities for team teachers to be able to
meet students’ needs for care, fun, and con-
nectedness.
Eighth-grade students were divided into
two smaller groups for a blocked period of
time (131 or 160 minutes total depending on
the bell schedule) that consisted of two
classes (science and social studies) and a
homeroom period. Because math and Eng-
lish classes were grouped by ability, in the
afternoon students were not necessarily in the
exact same small group that they were in the
morning. However, groups remained rela-
tively intact throughout the day. This type of
organization followed the middle school con-
cept design. Students experienced an
increased amount of time during their school
day with a smaller, more intimate group of
students and team teachers. Team teachers
valued the sense of connectedness brought
about by the organizational structures and
believed students benefited from this organi-
zational arrangement as well as they experi-
enced a sense of relatedness to both their
team teachers and fellow peers. As Ms. Mira-
belle stated, “I do feel that when we have
those 56 kids, they know each other better,
they see the same faces all day. I think we
are lucky to have a tighter knit group than
other teams.” Students, like Katelyn, con-
firmed Ms. Mirabelle’s statement:
Researcher: So talk to me about your team,
the Rams [eighth grade team name]?
Katelyn: It’s cool. We have fun students and
cool teachers.
Researcher: Do you have similar kids from
your team in your classes?
Katelyn: Yes.
Researcher: What do you think about that?
Katelyn: It’s cool because you get to see
them all day.
8 Middle Grades Research Journal Vol. 7, No. 3, 2012
Students’ perception of their team teachers
and teammates as “fun” was related to the
amount of time they spent together on a daily
basis. As a result of the organizational struc-
ture of this team, students recognized only
eighth-grade students as members of their
team. Further, students viewed the small
group of eighth-grade students they spent
most of their morning with as their “home-
room team” or team within their eighth-grade
team, increasing their sense of relatedness to
the group. As Lauren explained:
Lauren: These two classes [science and
social studies] are the ones that I am
mostly friends with. There are some kids
in the other classes, but it’s not like these
classes.
Researcher: So it’s your team?
Lauren: Yes. I’m more friends with my
homeroom team. We spend first period
and second period together.
Findings suggest common planning time
provided team teachers the opportunity to com-
municate with one another and to act as a cohe-
sive unit in order to best support students’
needs, a noted byproduct of this middle level
organizational structure. The flexible team
schedule afforded teachers the opportunity to
have a common planning and lunch period
where they spent a large block of time (approx-
imately 100 minutes) together every day. Dur-
ing this time, teachers discussed individual
students and planned team-wide events. Teach-
ers shared how being on a team together
increased teacher communication, helping
them work together to best meet students’
needs, specifically for care and fun. As Ms.
O’Connell shared:
I feel that we help instill that [a sense of
team] in them too. Because we meet every
day at lunch [joint common planning and
lunch period], we know that so and so was
having a bad day this morning and then they
see you and you say, “I heard that you were
having a bad day this morning.” “How did
you know that?” It’s because we are tighter
as a team, so the students realize that we are
working as a team to try and help them.
Students knew that their team teachers had
daily planning time together, ate lunch
together, and worked as one cohesive group.
Witnessed during multiple observations, stu-
dents, like Jimmy, would enter Ms. Hamilton’s
classroom during lunchtime, the place where
team teachers met for common planning and
lunch, to talk about schoolwork, their personal
lives, and solicit advice. Teachers encouraged
this type of behavior by making in-class
announcements and providing passes to stu-
dents who wanted to meet with them during
lunch.
Interdisciplinary teaming, scheduling,
homeroom, and common planning afforded
opportunities for teachers to plan and carry out
several team-wide events that were perceived
by students as both fun and educational. Such
team events included homeroom competitions,
a time capsule, and a luau. Students reported
the time capsule was one of the most fun and
memorable events of their eighth-grade year.
As Lauren shared:
I really liked the time capsule because we
all got to put something in it, all the eighth
graders on our team. If someone dug it up
we would want them to remember us by the
little items that we put in there … we went
out and Mrs. Copeland brought a rose bush,
bought a gate to put around it, and brought
a stone. I got to hold the stone and put it on
the ground. So we all took a class picture of
that. I think that by her taking the time to
make all that stuff and get all that stuff for
us was really special.
Students recognized the time and effort team
teachers put into creating such fun events, per-
ceiving their efforts as a way that their teachers
demonstrated care. When discussing the
eighth-grade team luau, Troy expressed how
such events made him feel cared for by his team
teachers:
Caring and Fun 9
Troy: Yeah. It took all that time to set it up
[eighth-grade team luau].
Researcher: So you noticed that it took some
extra time on their part? How did that
make you feel when you realized that?
Troy: That they cared about us.
Team Teacher-Student Relationship:
Promoting a Caring and Fun
Adolescent-Centered Community
Researcher: What’s it like to be on the Rams?
Katelyn: Fun, we have fun teachers.
Researcher: What makes your teachers fun?
Katelyn: They are really young and relatable.
Researcher: What do you mean when say re-
latable?
Katelyn: They try to help you as much as they
can. And they try to be in your situation to
help you through things … the way they
teach classes. They make it fun learning.
Katelyn, one of the eighth-grade students,
illustrated in the above quote the importance of
teacher-student relationships in promoting an
adolescent-centered community that is both
fun and caring. Within the team teacher-stu-
dent relationship, teacher characteristics and
practices may have helped to promote a fun
and caring adolescent-centered community.
Participants often perceived care and fun in
school as being connected—teachers were as
viewed as fun when they were caring and car-
ing when they were fun. Teacher characteris-
tics such as being fun and making learning fun
along with being a caring, warm demanding
educator were perceived to help foster an ado-
lescent-centered community within the team.
Teacher practices, including fostering high
quality teacher-student relationships and pro-
viding fun, in-class activities and team events
further supported the promotion of a respon-
sive adolescent-centered community. How-
ever, some team teachers lacked a complete
understanding of students’ needs for care and
fun, which served as a barrier to promoting a
responsive community for students.
Meeting Students’ Needs for Care and
Fun: Teacher Characteristics
Team teachers were purposefully selected
by the school administrators to be members of
one of four eighth-grade teams at Ford. During
an interview with Mrs. Cramer, the principal at
Ford, she explained the characteristics she
sought in her eighth-grade teachers, “I have to
have the right teacher that can have the right
relationship, non-sarcastic, caring yet nurtur-
ing, but can also give eighth-grade students
their space.” Throughout student interviews,
all students reported that responsive teachers
knew them and their friends well; were
respectful, funny, athletic, outgoing, and relat-
able; handled disruptive students; and made
school fun. Fun, continuously mentioned by
every student in the study, was highlighted as
an important characteristic that students
looked for in their team teachers. For students,
perceiving team teachers as fun was associated
with teacher characteristics such as being relat-
able and caring, as noted in Katelyn’s quote
above.
During the teacher focus group, team teach-
ers shared instances when they took on the
characteristics of caring warm demanders by
believing it was their responsibility to help stu-
dents achieve academic excellence, communi-
cating high expectations, and providing
multiple supports to help students be success-
ful. Ms. Hamilton reflected on the notion of
being a warm demander:
For me, it goes with the high expectations
thing. Zero is not an option in my class. I tell
them that you have to be in a coma to get a
zero in my class. I give them a 100 at the
beginning of the semester and it’s their job to
keep it. I don’t accept zero’s. You have to do
the work.
When asked how they handle less than quality
student work, Ms. Mirabelle stated:
With all tests, I grade it. I offer it to every stu-
dent that if you want to make the corrections
to this you can get back half the points. That
will definitely bring your grades up. If you
10 Middle Grades Research Journal Vol. 7, No. 3, 2012
made a 70 or lower, it’s not an option, you
have to do it. I sometimes have a student that
gets a 90 and they want to do it, and I say that
they can do it. They just need to write it on a
separate piece of paper, copy the problems
and redo it. Usually they do earn back points
like that, so it helps them bring up their grade.
With homework assignments that I collect
and grade, if I don’t think it’s quality work, I
don’t grade it. I put a note on it that they have
to redo it.
Ms. Hamilton echoed this sense of high expec-
tations for student work, “I will give it back to
them to improve it. They have an option to
continue to make changes and upgrade their
grade.”
All students in this study wanted their
teachers to display the characteristics of a
responsive, warm demanding teacher. For
example, Jimmy stated in an individual inter-
view, “I like the ‘in between’ one [teacher] that
enforces the rules but likes to joke around, like
Ms. Hamilton.” The notion of teachers having
high expectations and supporting student suc-
cess is echoed in Katelyn’s statement, “They
[team teachers] help you prepare for high
school and do a lot to make you stay on track.
If you need help with work, or understanding
high school, they help you.” However, not all
teachers consistently displayed these charac-
teristics. For example, with regard to adhering
to high expectations, Ms. O’Connell shared
how she aimed to prepare students for the “real
world” where she believed they would not
receive additional assistance or second
chances:
I hold very high expectations in my class-
room. If they are not prepared, I kick them
out. They go to Ms. Mirabelle’s room. If you
don’t have a pencil and paper, I don’t want
you in my class and they are immediately
kicked out to another room and their job is to
make up the work and if they don’t make it
up it’s a zero … to me it’s important to teach
them because in the workforce they are not
going to get hand outs.
Meeting Students’ Needs for Care and
Fun: Teacher Practices
Team teachers’ developmentally respon-
sive characteristics resulted in a series of prac-
tices that may help to promote a caring and fun
adolescent-centered community. Two key
teacher practices included fostering caring
teacher-student relationships and providing
fun, engaging in-class activities that helped to
encourage a sense of fun in learning (Bos-
worth, 1995; Juvonen, 2007; Larson & Gatto,
2004; Schmakel, 2008). Additionally, respon-
sive team teachers recognized student success,
helping to communicate care for their students.
However, not all team teachers continuously
engaged in these responsive practices.
Several key components helped to define
high quality team teacher-student relation-
ships, including the desire for teachers to
engage in one-on-one conversations and to
demonstrate respect toward students. Engag-
ing students in conversations allowed teachers
to connect with, relate to, and demonstrate
care. Mrs. Copeland reported:
I think that just by the smallest contact too,
they [eighth-grade students] want to build
relationships with teachers. Even the smallest
comment opens the door. You can be like
“Hey, I love your shoes” and they will be
like, “Yeah, my mom bought them for me
and then we went to the mall.” And it’s like a
deluge and it’s just the little comment that
opens them up. They are like “Oh my gosh
she cares,” and then they open up and talk.
In the teacher focus group interview, Ms.
Mirabelle agreed with Mrs. Copeland and
elaborated on the importance of teachers
engaging students in conversation as a way to
connect with and get to know them:
They [students] like talking. So when you ask
them a question, they open up and then they
want to know something about you. I’ve
found that the eighth graders like to ask me
questions, so if I am willing to speak about
myself or answer questions, then they are like
“Well, I want to ask her something.”
Caring and Fun 11
Responsive teachers, like Ms. Hamilton, rec-
ognized the importance of forging connections
by dedicating in-class time to relationship
building:
I ask them about their day, “Guys, it’s so
great to see you back from spring break. So
for today’s activity I want you to write about
your spring break and then we are going to
share it” because they want to talk about it.
So let’s talk about it. And I think that by
showing an interest in the activities that they
do, “Hey does anybody have fun plans for the
weekend? What are you going to do?” It
shows them that you want to know about
their lives, what they do for fun, and their
spare time. So just by engaging them.
All students perceived many of their team
teachers as fostering teacher-student relation-
ships where they felt cared for. When asked if
she felt teachers knew her, Lauren stated she
believed her team teachers knew her:
I can see them [team teachers] walking down
the hall and they would know me. I mean,
they only have two eighth grade classes. I
think they know me because I got the awards
too. I think they recognized the things that I
have done, so they know me.
Katelyn also discussed how a team teacher was
able to forge a personal connection with her
and engage her in conversation, “She talks to
me a lot. Ms. Hamilton had my two best
friends last year. So she knows about me. She
knows that I like sports and I’m athletic.” Fur-
ther, all students perceived teachers who they
had a close relationship with as fun, engaging,
and relatable. As Lauren elaborated:
I definitely like Mrs. Copeland a lot. She’s
very fun. She is very understanding and she
always likes to do experiments with us and
she knows that we will enjoy them. Ms.
O’Connell, the social studies teacher is actu-
ally from Texas too. So a lot of the restau-
rants that we went to we can talk about and
she knows where everything is.
For students, care and respect were inter-
connected and considered an essential element
in the team teacher-student relationship.
Respect was viewed as reciprocal in nature; as
teachers gave students respect, students treated
teachers with respect. When asked to clarify
how teachers demonstrate respect, Katelyn
responded, “If I treat them with respect, they
give me respect.” Students recognized their
team teachers respected them because they
offered to help. As Troy described, “I know
they respect me because if they didn’t respect
you, they wouldn’t want to help you at all.”
In addition to high quality team teacher-stu-
dent relationships, fun, in-class activities
emerged as a responsive teacher practice.
Teachers attested to the importance they
placed on fostering fun in learning. As Ms.
O’Connell shared, “I like to mix things up. I
think, what haven’t I done in a while, what
would be fun to do? What would be exciting
for them?” All four students in the current
study stated that hands-on learning is their pre-
ferred way to learn. When asked why, all stu-
dents replied because it was fun. Students
recognized their team teachers’ attempts to
make learning fun. When asked to describe his
eighth-grade team, Troy stated, “Fun, we do
fun stuff. Good teachers. If you are an eighth
grader, it’s always the funnest.” Further, Kate-
lyn voiced she wanted team teachers to be
“fun” by engaging students in hands-on activi-
ties, “Bunch of hands on activities, no home-
work, just really fun and not boring…. Getting
involved in stuff and not just sitting down and
doing work. Hands-on activities.” Students
reported fun, educational hands-on activities
as one of their favorite ways to learn. In
response to a question about what a day of fun
learning would entail, students replied:
Lauren: A lot of activities, videos, what we
did today with building dinosaurs.
Katelyn: Hands on stuff.
Troy: What we did today was fun. In history
sometimes we play earth ball.
Katelyn: Name the country with the last letter
in the country, then you throw the ball and
12 Middle Grades Research Journal Vol. 7, No. 3, 2012
the next person has to name a country
with that letter.
Troy: We also play philosophical chairs. That
is fun.
Students reported that fun, yet educational,
hands-on activities helped to engage them in
learning. This is reflected in Lauren’s descrip-
tion of making ice cream and fluffernutters in
her science class:
I like [learning] to be hands on. I like the
experiments that we did in science; they are a
lot of fun. We made ice cream and we also
put foil in this solution. When you are a sci-
entist you have to write down an experiment.
So we made fluffernutters, so in order to have
some, you had to write down how to make it,
so you had to be specific.
Troy attested to the importance of class activi-
ties being both fun and educational, “All the
activities that she [team teacher] does is fun,
but at the same time you are still learning.”
Caring, responsive team teachers also rec-
ognized student success. By recognizing stu-
dents’ success, responsive team teachers were
able to clearly communicate to students how
much they cared about them and applauded
their efforts and achievements. For example,
Mrs. Copeland elaborated on how she regu-
larly sent postcards to parents of students who
did something positive in her class:
It’s just random positive recognition …when
kids do something good in class, or their
grades are super great, or they have a good
test, I just drop it [postcard] in the mail to
mom and send them home. The kids like
them. I just sent a whole bunch of them out.”
Mrs. Copeland perceived this practice as a way
to communicate both care for her students and
that hard work is recognized and applauded.
Both Lauren and Katelyn, who received post-
cards, perceived such recognition as their
teacher communicating care.
Ms. O’Connell also recognized student suc-
cess by sending e-mails to parents when stu-
dents did something positive. After an
assignment that required students to write their
legacy, Ms. O’Connell sent Katelyn’s mother
an e-mail that stated:
Katelyn has blossomed into quite a mature,
joyful student over the last few months. It’s
been neat, as her teacher, to watch her grow
into even a more beautiful young lady. She’s
trying hard while keeping a great attitude.
I’m proud of Katelyn and her accomplish-
ments.
Ms O’Connell attached the e-mail to Katelyn’s
graded legacy assignment with the following
note:
I am really, really proud of you girl! Thank
you for sharing your legacy with me. You are
turning into a great leader that people look up
to. You work hard, you’re trustworthy,
you’re dependable … the list could go on!
Keep up the good work and awesome atti-
tude. You really are setting an example that
others see.
However, not all team teachers continu-
ously engaged in what students considered fun
and caring responsive practices. In individual
interviews, students spoke of their least favor-
ite classes as ones where team teachers primar-
ily used textbooks, workbooks, and overhead
notes as teaching strategies. When students
were asked their least favorite way to learn,
Lauren attested, “Just being given the work
and the textbook. Every day you write down
the notes off the overhead and you start work-
ing. It’s my least favorite subject.” Students’
least favorite class was described as lacking
fun by three of the four students, as reflected in
the following statement:
Katelyn: The teacher didn’t do anything to
make the class fun. We just worked from
the workbook all day.
Researcher: And fun would be what?
Katelyn: Hands-on and stuff like that.
Students described experiences of receiving
consequences from team teachers without an
explanation or full understanding as to why
Caring and Fun 13
they were receiving them, which was per-
ceived as another non-responsive practice:
Troy: I get kicked out a lot.
Researcher: Why do you get kicked out?
Troy: Sometimes I didn’t do anything and get
kicked out and I don’t know why.
Teacher practices may have a lasting
impact on students’ academic and social
adjustment. For example, Jimmy stated that
last year in seventh grade, “I got close to fail-
ing.” When asked to elaborate he stated:
Jimmy: Only [failing] my math class,
because of the way that she taught. She
wouldn’t explain it; she would make us
just copy and notes and then get right to it.
I didn’t really like doing the homework. I
did sometimes, sometimes I couldn’t
understand it. This year we have gotten
more acquainted. The thing that I didn’t
like was that she told me that I wouldn’t
amount to anything or go to college.
Researcher: Why did she say that?
Jimmy: Because I was not doing well in the
class.
Researcher: How did that make you feel?
Jimmy: It made me feel bad and I got sent out
of her class a lot because last year I didn’t
really have a lot of equipment. I never had
pencils and supplies so she would always
send me out before the day’s lesson.
This experience of almost failing math had
repercussions for Jimmy’s friendships. As
Jimmy stated:
Most of my friends I met in sixth grade. One
of my best friends since then is Brad. He goes
to school here and is in eighth grade. He’s not
on my team this year, but was for my sixth
and seventh grade year. He’s not this year
because I didn’t really like last year. I got
close to failing [in math], so instead of put-
ting me with him in algebra 1 honors, they
just put me in regular algebra with Ms. Mira-
belle.
DISCUSSION
The aim of the current study was to gain a
detailed understanding of how one interdisci-
plinary team nurtured an adolescent-centered
community that was responsive to eighth-
grade students’ basic and developmental
needs, including their need for care and fun.
We conceptualized an adolescent-centered
community as one that fosters an environment
responsive to students’ needs, notably the need
to receive care and to experience school as fun.
Two major conclusions materialized from this
study. First, interdisciplinary teaming and its
complimentary structures (i.e., flexible sched-
uling, homeroom, and common planning time)
helped set the foundation for a caring and fun
adolescent-centered community. Team teach-
ers who embodied developmentally responsive
characteristics capitalized on these structures
and utilized responsive practices to foster an
adolescent-centered community that met stu-
dents’ needs for care and fun. Second, stu-
dents’ need for both care and fun were
essential to the promotion of a responsive ado-
lescent-centered community within their inter-
disciplinary team. Team teachers and students
often viewed care and fun as interconnected
needs within the teacher-student relationship.
Thus, findings from this study underscore the
importance for educators to recognize stu-
dents’ basic and developmental needs and to
understand how school organizational struc-
tures and teacher-student relationships may
help to support these needs. Middle level edu-
cators can help foster an adolescent-centered
community by being responsive to students’
needs, including students’ basic psychological
need for relatedness, and unique to the current
study, the need for care and fun.
Although such conclusions are informative
and provide valuable insight, this study is not
without its limitations. Due to its epistemo-
logical focus and case study methodology,
the study is based on the voices of nine par-
ticipants from one school site. Only four stu-
dents were selected to participate due to the
current investigation being part of a larger,
14 Middle Grades Research Journal Vol. 7, No. 3, 2012
year-long qualitative investigation where each
student was shadowed throughout his/her day
at the middle school and high school level.
More students may have provided additional
perspectives. It is also important to note that
in the constructivist paradigm, the researcher
is an intimate and essential part of the
research process and that the final product is
a coconstruction of both researcher and par-
ticipant understandings. Further, data were
collected during a relatively brief period of
time, providing a snapshot of how an adoles-
cent-centered community was fostered.
Lastly, voices from one eighth-grade team
were included, limiting our understanding of
whether this adolescent-centered community
manifested throughout the entire school.
Despite these limitations, this study provided
a rich understanding of how one interdisci-
plinary team nurtured an adolescent-centered
community that was responsive to eighth-
grade students’ needs for care and fun, in
addition to other basic and developmental
needs.
Our first conclusion is that interdisciplinary
teaming and its related structures provided the
foundation for an adolescent-centered commu-
nity that met students’ needs. According to
NMSA (2010), “The team is the foundation for
a strong learning community characterized by
a sense of family. Students and teachers on the
team become well acquainted, feel safe,
respected, and supported, and are encouraged
to take intellectual risks” (p. 31). Caskey
(2011) called for research that supports current
middle level structures and practices. While
there are noted byproducts of teaming, this
study reminds us of the importance of interdis-
ciplinary teaming as it helps to meet students’
basic and developmental needs. Developmen-
tally responsive team teachers capitalized on
interdisciplinary teaming and its complimen-
tary structures and utilized responsive prac-
tices in order to foster an adolescent-centered
community that met students’ needs for care
and fun, in addition to their basic need for
relatedness. Findings from this study align
with prior research that both middle school
structures (Boyer & Bishop, 2004; Dickinson
& Erb, 1997; Flowers, Mertens, & Mulhall,
1999; George & Alexander, 2003; Jackson &
Davis, 2000; National Association of Second-
ary School Principals [NASSP], 2006; NSMA,
2010) and developmentally responsive teach-
ers who employ responsive practices (Battis-
tich et al., 1997; Eccles, 2004; Ellerbrock &
Kiefer, 2010; NMSA, 2010) are essential com-
ponents to creating an adolescent-centered
community. Thus, findings highlight that
responsive middle school structures and teach-
ers are critical to fostering a true adolescent-
centered community invested in student learn-
ing and well being (Jackson & Davis, 2000;
NASSP, 2010). Also aligned with extant
research, findings indicate instances of unre-
sponsive teacher characteristics and practices
may serve as a barrier to the promotion of a
community within the school or classroom that
meets students’ needs (Eccles, 2004; Eccles et
al., 1993; Ferreira & Bosworth, 2000).
Our second conclusion is that meeting stu-
dents’ need for both care and fun was essential
to the promotion of an adolescent-centered
community. Teachers with a hands-on, stu-
dent-centered approach to teaching fostered an
adolescent-centered community where learn-
ing was perceived as educational and fun. Stu-
dents and teachers often perceived care and
fun as interconnected needs that were met
within an adolescent-centered community
where teachers are fun when they are caring
and caring when they are fun. Consistent with
research, results from the current study suggest
teacher-student relationships help determine
the degree students feel cared for and part of
their school community (Noddings, 2005;
Osterman, 2000; Schussler & Collins, 2006).
According to Noddings (2005) and affirmed in
this study, students must be receivers of care in
order for the caring relationship to be com-
plete. Further, findings from this investigation
underscore students’ desire to experience fun
in school and learning (Larson & Gatto, 2004;
Schmakel, 2008), as both students and teachers
recognized students’ need to experience school
and learning as fun. This aligns with research
Caring and Fun 15
that suggests “school as fun” includes exciting
learning activities, where teachers and students
work together to make learning meaningful
and meet students’ needs (Glasser, 1996; Lar-
son & Gatto, 2004; Schmakel, 2008).
In conclusion, this study underscores the
need for researchers and educators to be more
responsive to students’ needs for care and fun
by promoting an adolescent-centered commu-
nity at the middle level. Results from the cur-
rent study indicate meeting students’ needs for
care and fun is an essential component of an
adolescent-centered community at the middle
level and contributes to our understanding of
responsive school environments for young
adolescents. Responsive organizational struc-
tures, in tandem with developmentally respon-
sive teacher characteristics and practices,
helped to cultivate an adolescent-centered
community within the interdisciplinary team
investigated in this study. There is a need to
continue to listen to student voices in order to
be responsive to their needs at the middle level
and for additional research to further examine
successful innovations (e.g., interdisciplinary
teaming, common planning time, building
relationships with students) and how they may
help meet young adolescents’ multiple needs
(Caskey, 2011). Future research is necessary in
order to determine whether such adolescent-
centered communities where students’ needs
for care and fun are met generalize to an entire
school or to multiple schools, and whether
such communities are sustainable over time
and impact students’ adjustment.
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Nurse
Education in Practice (2005) 5, 161–171
Nurse
www.elsevierhealth.com/journals/nepr
Education
in Practice
A study to ascertain the effect of
structured st
udent
tutorial support on
student stress, self-esteem and coping
John Gammon *, Heulwen Morgan-Samuel 1
School of Health Science, University of Wales, Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
Accepted 19 September 2004
Summary The overall aim of this intervention study was to investigate, and mea-
sure quantitatively, the psychological effects of structured student tutorial support,
on undergraduate students’ level of stress, self-esteem and cognitive coping.
A quantitative research approach was adopted using a quasi-experimental design
(post-test only, non-equivalent control group design) in order to ascertain whether
there were any significant differences between the experimental conditions (n = 25)
and a control group (n = 25). The independent variable was structured student tuto-
rial support and the dependent variables were student stress, self-esteem and cog-
nitive coping. A total of 50 subjects were randomly assigned to either the
experimental or control group. Quantitative data were collected using: the Student
Nurse Stress Index (Jones, M.C., Johnston, D.W., 1997a. The derivation of a 22 item
Student Nurse Stress Index, using exploratory, confirmatory and multi-sample con-
firmatory factor analytic techniques. In: Paper Presented at the Annual Nursing
Research Conference, 18–20th April, University of Wales, Swansea; Jones, M. C.
Johnston, D.W., 1999. Derivation of a brief Student Nurse Stress Index. Work and
Stress 13(2), 162–181), the Self Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, M., 1965. Society and
the Adolesent Self Image. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ) and a Linear
Analogue Coping Scale (Gammon, J., 1998. Analysis of the stressful effects of hos-
pitalisation and source isolation on coping and psychological constructs. Interna-
tional Journal of Nursing Practice 4(2),
84
–97). The methods of data analysis
were the application of the t-test and descriptive statistics.
The results indicated a significantly lower level of stress in the experimental group
(t = �3.85, p = 0.001) and a significantly higher self esteem (t = 4.11, p = 0.001).
Results also suggested that students who were provided with structured tutorial sup-
port perceived they coped more effectively with their studies (t = 4.65, p = 0.001).
KEYWORDS
Tutorial support;
Student stress;
Self-esteem;
Coping
1
d
471-5953/$ – see front matter
�c 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
oi:10.1016/j.nepr.2004.09.003
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 1792 513154.
E-mail address: j.gammon@swansea.ac.uk.
1 Tel.: +44 1792 205678.
mailto:j.gammon@swansea.ac.uk.
162 J. Gammon, H. Morgan-Samuel
The study concluded that structured tutorial support was an influential variable in
reducing student stress, promoting self-esteem and facilitating more effective cop-
ing, suggests further interventional research is needed to evaluate this further.
�c 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Introduction
Registered nurses embarking on a part-time degree
programme, have to cope with the competing de-
mands of their studies, their professional responsi-
bilities, their families as well as many other issues
(Shipton, 2002). It is recognised that these circum-
stances are stressful and anxiety provoking (Lo,
2002; Aherne, 2002), often resulting in students
finding these competing demands difficult to cope
with (Timmins and Kaliszer, 2002). Davey and Rob-
inson (2002) and similarly Ashton and Shuldham
(1994) suggest that frequently, women in particu-
lar, have to continue to cope with school age fam-
ilies, often fitting in their studies around household
chores, which exacerbates feelings of academic
stress. A number of strategies to ameliorate this
stress have been investigated such as psychological
support (Grant-Vallone and Ensher, 2000), exercise
(Bolger, 1997; Anshel, 1996), relaxation (Heaman,
1995), touch (Taylor and Lo, 2001), preceptorship
(Yonge et al., 2002), and skills training (Mavis,
2001).
However, research that examines how tutorial
support influences stress, a students’ self-esteem
and coping ability is limited (Liddell et al., 2002),
and the extent of intervention research in nurse
education is limited. Therefore, this intervention
study sought to redress imbalances in current re-
search by evaluating academic stress, self-esteem,
and coping ability amongst part-time BSc (Hons)
Nursing Studies Students, in particular attempting
to ascertain whether the provision of structured
tutorial support influenced these constructs.
Literature review
A literature search of studies listed in the Cumula-
tive Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature
(CINAHL) database was conducted from 1990–
2003, using the terms student stress, tutorial sup-
port, self-esteem, anxiety, and coping. To ensure
completeness of the review additional words in-
cluded: cognitive coping, student support, support
groups, empowerment, autonomy, intervention
studies and psychological effects. A search was also
undertaken to identify other studies that had used
the research instruments utilised in this study.
International studies were used, however foreign
language studies were excluded from the review.
The way in which stress is conceptualised has a
major impact on the way coping can be defined
and studied. Stress arises from a transaction be-
tween an individual and the environment, when
the individual construes stimuli as damaging,
threatening or challenging (Scott et al., 1980). In
general, stressful situations involve awareness of
demands that exceed available resources, as ap-
praised by the individual. An inclusive definition
of stress does not exist, however a comprehensive
description of stress has been provided by Ivance-
vich and Matteson (1990, p. 34)) who state that
stress is: ‘an adaptive response, mediated by indi-
vidual differences and/or psychological processes
that is a consequence of any external (environmen-
tal) action, situation or event that places excessive
psychological and/or physical demands on a
person’.
Stress is particularly important in education and
educational institutions because it has the poten-
tial to impede human learning and functioning
(Timmins and Kaliszer, 2002).
Coping is the natural counterpart of stress. It
generally refers to a person’s efforts to anticipate
and respond to challenging or troublesome condi-
tions. Many definitions of coping are documented
in the literature although widely quoted is that by
Folkman and Lazarus (1980, p. 34)) who define cop-
ing as ‘the cognitive and behavioural efforts made
to master, tolerate or reduce external and internal
demands and conflicts among them. Such coping
efforts serve two main functions: the management
or alteration of the stress (problem focused coping)
and the regulation of stressful emotions (emotion
focused coping)’. It is this definition of coping that
is used for this research because it emphasises the
importance of the psychosocial element of coping
and views the concept from an interactionist
perspective.
Studies that examine student stress range from
the andototal and descriptive (Ofori and Charlton,
2002; Yonge et al., 2002; Elliot, 2002), to empiri-
cally based research (Radcliffe and Lester, 2003;
Shipton, 2002; Sheu et al., 2002). For nurses, aca-
demic stress includes examinations, long hours of
A study to ascertain the effect of structured student tutorial support 163
study, assignments and grades, lack of free time,
lecturers’ response to students’ needs, academic
ability and lack of timely feedback (Davey and Rob-
inson, 2002; Kirkland, 1998). It is widely accepted
that the experience of academic stress affects stu-
dents’ academic performance (Ofori and Charlton,
2002; Mavis, 2001), their self-esteem (Lo, 2002),
the efficacy of their coping (Shipton, 2002; Jones
and Johnston, 2000; Mahat, 1998) and can lead to
changes in physiological and psychological health
(Aherne, 2002; Jones and Johnston, 1997b).
Research by Marker (2001) examined the percep-
tions of student stress from the nurse educator’s
(n = 308) perspective. The research noted that
nurse educators were aware of the level of stress
among undergraduate students and that most nurse
educators understood the sources of that stress.
However, Marker (2001) argues that nurse educa-
tors expressed frustration at their attempts to help
students and suggested that more time should be
allocated to help students reduce their stress and
support them to develop more effective coping
skills.
Previous research has indicated that certain
interventions have positive influences on the level
of stress students’ experience. For example inter-
ventions have included: use of action learning
groups (Heidari and Galvin, 2003); teaching asser-
tiveness (McCabe and Timmins, 2003); reflection
in groups (Haddock, 1997); teaching stress manage-
ment skills (Jones and Johnston, 1996); compli-
mentary therapies (Lindop, 1993); empowerment
(Chally, 1992); increasing self awareness, goal set-
ting, adapting work situations, social support, and
relaxation (Kunkler and Whittick, 1991) and hu-
mour (Warner, 1991) each have shown a positive
effect on stress and coping. Other research studies,
which have examined a specific intervention, are
highlighted in Table 1.
Benefits of tut
orial support
Litchfield (2001) notes that there exists much
inconsistency in the way students are supported
during their academic studies. Significantly, little
research has been undertaken that investigates
the effects of one-to-one tutorials (Wilson, 1996;
Jacques, 1994) or small group tutorials (Liddell
et al., 2002; Ashton and Shuldham, 1994). How-
ever, some research has examined the effect of
student support on student performance (Heidari
and Galvin, 2003), levels of stress (Radcliffe and
Lester, 2003) and knowledge and skills develop-
ment (Liddell et al., 2002).
An interesting, and innovative study was under-
taken by Heidari and Galvin (2003) who, using focus
groups, evaluated the effect of action learning
groups on student’s learning and education
(n = 288). From their research Heidari and Galvin
(2003) argue that significantly one of the major
advantages of action learning groups, identified
by students, was the support they received from
both lecturers and other students. Students were
able to express their feelings and worries, ‘let off
steam’ and discuss different issues, which Heidari
and Galvin (2003) note facilitated learning and pro-
moted student confidence. Liddell et al. (2002)
utilising a quasi-experimental study, evaluated
the effect of tutorials in supporting medical stu-
dents acquire basic procedural skills. The results
indicated that students in the experimental group
were more confident in applying their skills in prac-
tice and utilised their skills more frequently.
Evident from this small body of research suggests
that providing structured support for an individual
attempting to cope with a stressful academic event
may be an influential variable affecting an individ-
ual’s coping process (Earwaker, 1992).
The effects of self-esteem on education
A considerable amount of research exists that
examines the relationship between self-esteem
and educational ability (Begley and White, 2003;
Hughes et al., 2003; Lo, 2002). Social cognitive the-
ory suggests self-efficacy affects one’s behaviour
(Bandura and Jourden, 1991), and an individuals
perceptions about their own abilities and charac-
teristics, guide their behaviour and how much ef-
fort they will put into their performance
(Bandura, 1977; Bandura and Jourden, 1991). Lo
(2002) evaluated perceived levels of stress, coping
and self-esteem amongst Australian undergraduate
nursing students, suggesting an association be-
tween chronic stress, avoidance behaviour and
negative self-esteem. A higher self-esteem was
correlated with proactive coping and with more se-
nior students.
Methodology
The overall aim for this intervention study was to
investigate and quantitatively measure, the psy-
chological effects of structured tutorial support,
on students’ level of stress, their self-esteem,
and to ascertain its influence on cognitive coping.
In order to test the above, a number of specific
hypotheses were tested:
Table 1 Intervention studies
Research Intervention
Results
Taylor and Lo (2001) Healing touch No effects of healing touch on the
coping ability, self-esteem and
general health. However, subjects
found the experience positive
Grant-Vallone and Ensher (2000) Student peer-mentoring programme.
Psychosocial and instrumental support
given
Students were more satisfied with
increased levels of psychosocial
and instrumental support.
Bolger (1997) Exercise programme Exercise was found to be an
effective stress management and
provided additional benefits
Anshel (1996) A 10-week aerobic exercise and
progressive relaxation training
programme, evaluating it effect on
somatic, emotional, and behavioural
response to acute stress.
Analysis of results indicated that
aerobic exercisers in comparison
with the other research groups
responded to acute stress with
more positive affect, lower stressor
task heart rate, reduced systolic
blood pressure and superior motor
performance.
Jones and Johnston (1996) Stress management skills Stress management significantly
reduced affective distress and
increases adaptive coping in both
clinical and academic settings
Heaman (1995) Didactic information, quieting response
training, biofeedback-aided relaxation
Reduction in anxiety amongst
students in experimental group. No
difference in physiological
measures
Schaufeli (1995) Didactic information giving, relaxation
training and cognitive stress training
Significant reduction in emotional
and somatic symptoms following
intervention
Godbey and Courage (1994) Cognitive behavioural stress reduction
techniques and study skills training
Lower anxiety scores amongst
students in experimental group
Lee and Crockett (1994) Assertiveness training rational emotive
therapy
Experimental group had lower
scores on perceived stress scale
and higher assertiveness scores
Stephens (1992) Imagery, progressive muscular relaxation Greater reduction in anxiety in
imagery and imagery and
progressive muscular relaxation
groups.
Speck (1990) Guided imagery, relaxation training using
audiotapes
Intervention group had lover
anxiety
Michie and Ridout (1990) Two day course. Didactic information
giving, self awareness and skills training
Reduction in anxiety levels and an
increase in job satisfaction
164 J. Gammon, H. Morgan-Samuel
(A) To test whether students who are given struc-
tured tutorial support experience less stress.
(B) To test whether students who are given struc-
tured tutorial support experience a higher
self-esteem.
(C) To test whether students who are given struc-
ture tutorial support personally perceive they
are coping more effectively with the degree
programme and their studies.
Design
This quantitative intervention study utilised a qua-
si-experimental design. Precisely, this was the
post-test only, non-equivalent control group de-
sign, meaning the design did not involve any pre-
testing of the subjects and the two research groups
were not matched to reduce potential confounding
variables.
A study to ascertain the effect of structured student tutorial support 165
Sample
A total of 50 subjects, were randomly selected for
the study, from a total population of 150. This was
achieved by including the names, of all students
meeting the sample criteria, on a data base and
allowing the computer to randomly selecting 50.
Subsequently, subjects were randomly assigned
into the experimental group (n = 25) or the control
group (n = 25), by the use of 25 green and 25 blue
counters, respectively, drawn from a cloth bag. A
subject was defined as an registered nurse, in
full-time employment between the age of 25–55,
and undertaking a part-time BSc (Hons) Nursing
Studies degree programme.
Research procedure
The subjects having met the research sample crite-
ria, and randomly assigned into the experimental
group or the control group were all given a written
explanation, which indicated the purpose of the re-
search and what was expected of them as research
subjects. On agreeing to participate in the study,
subjects were given a written consent form to sign.
Table 3 Levels of helping utilised
Levels of helping
Practical help Doing
Giving information Informing
Allowing the student to ventilate
feelings
Listening
Enabling the student to identify the
problem
Challenging
Helping the student to manage the
problem
Counselling
Experimental group procedure
Structured tutorial support was given for one aca-
demic year, by the researcher, to all subjects in
the experimental group. The precise nature of this
structured tutorial support is noted in Tables 2 and
3. Many of the support interventions utilised have
been used in previous research and noted in the lit-
erature as being effective support mechanisms
(Gammon, 1997; Wilson, 1996; Jones and Johnston,
1996; Warner, 1991).
In addition to the support mechanism listed in
Table 2, the researcher adopted the five levels of
helping proposed by Wilson (1996). Generally,
these helping strategies detailed in Table 3 and
are based on students’ need or desire for practical
Table 2 Interventions utilised to facilitate structured tut
Researcher support interventions for students
Familiarising the student with an unfamiliar situation
Introducing to the student a familiar element to unfamiliar
Physical touch
Conveying emotional stability to the student using non-ver
Counselling and helping the student to use his/her own ski
Clarification of facts
Encouraging verbalisation and ventilation of fears by the st
Facilitating coping techniques and divisional techniques
help, information, to moan or complain, for ad-
vice, or for counselling.
In order to facilitate reliability in the implemen-
tation of the research intervention, the support
and helping interventions were provided only by
the research and were written on an index card,
which acted as a prompt to the researcher to en-
sure that all aspects of the research intervention
were consistently applied where appropriate.
The research intervention was applied in two
ways. First, the tutorial support and helping inter-
ventions were provided to three separate groups of
experimental subjects on a fortnightly basis, gen-
erally, each tutorial lasted for approximately 45
min. The allocation of subjects into one of the
three groups was based on the specific module
the student was studying. Additionally, students
were given the opportunity to see the researcher
on an individual basis, and were supported using
the same research interventions. Following the
implementation of the above research conditions,
post-tests were applied for all 25 subjects.
Control group
Subjects in the control group were not exposed to
the structured tutorial support. The control group
received the tutorial support that was ‘routinely’
provided to students on the BSc (Hons) Nursing Stud-
ies programme by academic staff. Generally, the
orial support
situations
bal communication
lls to overcome their fears
udent
166 J. Gammon, H. Morgan-Samuel
tutorial system was an ‘open door’ tutorial policy
where tutorial support, which was not structured,
was provided on an individual basis when requested
students. All the research post-tests were to this
group applied at the end of the academic year. Tuto-
rial support tended to be reactive and not proactive.
Data collection
Data was collected using structured, previously val-
idated questionnaires and a linear analogue scale.
The research instruments were:
Student nurse stress index
While there is a great deal of descriptive material
describing the sources of stress in nursing students,
few questionnaires with established reliability and
validity exist (Brown, 1996; Snape, 1995; Beck
and Srivastava, 1991). Beck and Srivastava (1991)
have produced a 43 item questionnaire called the
Beck and Srivastava Stress Index (BSSI) which de-
scribes sources of stress facing student nurses.
The BSSI contains many items which do not apply
to the students used in this study. Consequently,
the Student Nurse Stress Index, (SNSI) developed
by Jones and Johnston (1997a, 1999) was consid-
ered pertinent. The SNSI, based on the BSSI, con-
sists of 22 items which ask students to rate on a
five point scale how stressful they find various
events encountered during their period of study.
The SNSI has four factor structure with academic
load, clinical concerns, personal problems and
interface worries as underlying variables. The scale
is quantitative in design and sum scores on items
1–22 give an overall total ranging from 22 to 110.
Self-esteem
This construct was measured using the Self-esteem
Assessment Scale, developed by Rosenberg (1965).
The scale evaluates the self-acceptance (liking or
approval) component of self-esteem. The advan-
tage of this scale is that it has been extensively
used in previous research (Begley and White,
2003; Hughes et al., 2003; Buddington, 2002; Gam-
mon and Mulholland, 1996; Hall et al., 1996;
DeLongis et al., 1988), and the instrument only
consists of 10 questions each having a choice of
four responses scored from zero to three. A cumu-
lative score is derived, the maximum score being
thirty, and thus the instrument predicts that the
higher the score the higher one’s self-esteem.
Linear analogue coping scale
Perceived coping was measured using a Linear Ana-
logue Coping Scale, assessing subjects’ coping abil-
ity in a simple and convenient manner. The linear
analogue scale was 100 mm in length with anchors
at each end to indicate a subject’s assessment of
their coping. Subjects’ coping ability was scored,
by measuring in millimetres, the distance from
the lower extreme of the scale to the subject’s
mark. The lower extreme read: ‘Totally unable to
cope with my course and studies’ and the upper ex-
treme ’Totally able to cope with my course and
studies.’
There exists strong evidence suggesting the util-
ity of linear analogue scales in measuring psycho-
logical and physical outcomes (Cheing et al.,
2002; Gammon, 1997, 1998; Scott, 1994; Gooch,
1989; Gift, 1989; Guyatt et al., 1987), and its valid-
ity (Gift, 1989a; Luria, 1975).
Data analysis
The data for all three research instruments were
numerically scored and quantified. Each of these
quantitative scores were entered on to a raw data
sheet, for each subject and then entered into a
computer for analysis. Inferential and descriptive
statistical tests were performed. Specifically the
independent t-test was applied to calculate any
significant differences between the scores from
each research group and descriptive statistics were
used to calculate means, standard deviation (SD)
and range.
Results
Initially, the scores for each research group were
analysed using descriptive statistics, the results
of which are illustrated in Tables 4 and 5.
Analysis of the data using the independent t-test
demonstrated significant differences between the
two groups for each of the constructs measured.
The mean stress score for subjects in the experi-
mental group (68.7) was lower than the control
group (82.9). The differences in means, shown by
the t-test (t = �3.85), was strongly significant at
a p = 0.001 level. The mean self-esteem score for
subjects in the experimental group (19.48) was
higher than the control group (14.48). The differ-
ences in means, shown by the t-test (4.11) was sig-
nificant at a p = <0.001 level. Lastly, the mean
coping score for subjects in the research group
(73.8) was higher than the control group (60), indi-
cating students who were provided with structured
tutorial support believed they coped more effec-
tively with the degree programme. The differences
in means shown by the t-test (4.65), was significant
Table 5
Descriptive statistics for experimental subjects
Descriptive statistics for control subjects
Variable Mean Median SD Range Min Max No. of subjects
Stress 82.92 87 13.39 50 54 104 25
Self-esteem 14.84 14 3.39 12 10 22 25
Coping 60.0 59 8.66 36 48 84 25
Table 4 Descriptive statistics for experimental subjects
Descriptive statistics for experimental subjects
Variable Mean Median SD Range Min Max No. of subjects
Stress 68.68 67 12.75 44 47 91 25
Self-esteem 19.48 20 4.52 14 12 28 25
Coping 73.76 72 11.98 44 50 94 25
A study to ascertain the effect of structured student tutorial support 167
at a p = <0.001 level. These results are summarised in Table 6.
Discussion: theoretical explanations for
the research findings
Pertinent to discuss, as a consequence of this re-
search is why should students provided with struc-
tured tutorial support have a higher self-esteem,
cope more effectively with their academic de-
mands and the stressful situations associated with
their degree studies? There are numerous possible
explanations for the research findings, which can
facilitate an appreciation of the precise dynamics
that exist between the constructs evaluated in this
Table 6 Table to illustrate the mean scores and observed
Research group (1) Control gro
Mean stress score
68.7 82.9
SD 12.7 SD 13.4
Range 47–91 Range 54–
Mean self-esteem score
19.48 14.48
SD 4.52 SD 3.39
Range 12–28 Range 10–
Mean coping score
73.8 60
SD 12 SD 8.66
Range 50–94 Range 48–
study. However, these results must be considered
with caution, particularly in view of the constraints
of research methodology and the many potential
extraneous variables that could have influenced
the association between the measured concepts.
Consequently, the authority of the research to ar-
gue that structured tutorial support does reduce
student stress, improve their self-esteem and cop-
ing ability may still be called into question.
In their coping model Craig and Edward (1983)
suggest that effective coping results in less stress
and anxiety, while ineffective coping results in
higher levels of stress and anxiety. Similar results
have been noted by Gammon (1997) who in a model
of coping suggests that the provision of support
and information results in more effective coping
and consequently less anxiety and stress, with
t-value for each dependant variable
up (2)
Observed t-value
t = �3.85
(p = 0.001)
104
Observed t-value
t = 4.11
(p = 0.001)
22
Observed t-value
t = 4.65
(p = 0.001)
84
168 J. Gammon, H. Morgan-Samuel
enhanced feelings of control. As previously high-
lighted in the literature review, stress levels are
widely regarded as valid indicators of a person’s
coping ability (Shipton, 2002; Marker, 2001; Jones
and Johnston, 2000; Mahat, 1998; Gammon, 1997,
1998). Tutorial support, like action learning groups
(Heidari and Galvin, 2003) familiarises students
with unfamiliar academic demands (Wilson,
1996), which it is argued, can result in less stress,
a better self-esteem and more effective coping.
The findings of this research would suggest that
these academic demands are ameliorated by tuto-
rial support by enabling students to be familiarised
with the requirements of an academic undergradu-
ate programme and thereby reducing stress, fos-
tering feelings of control, autonomy and
promoting more effective coping.
Studies have shown that self-esteem can be
positively influenced, which consequently affects
coping ability ensuring it is more effective (Hughes
et al., 2003; Lo, 2002; Ofori and Charlton, 2002;
Russler, 1991). It is argued therefore that self-
esteem is influenced by the provision of structured
tutorial support because it enables students to ac-
quire skills and knowledge that affect their accep-
tance, self-confidence, and control of academic
demands. Consequently, students maintain their
independence and a more realistic perspective of
academic and programme demands, ensuring they
feel more positive about actively confronting aca-
demic requirements, demands and situations per-
ceived as difficult, and therefore more able to
cope with them.
Structured tutorial support promotes personal
control, empowerment, assertiveness and confi-
dence, thus students experience less uncertainty
and cope with academic demands more effec-
tively. Uncertainty, academic demands and loss
of control amongst students are derived from many
sources, including the novelty of the environment,
many new and unique academic requirements, the
necessity to demonstrate set learner objectives,
dramatic role changes, role conflicts, over-stimula-
tion with unfamiliar events, and competing de-
mands. All these sources of uncertainty are
particularly apparent in part-time undergraduate
students who are also in full-time employment.
Fundamentally these variables prevent a person’s
coping process being comprehensive and complete,
and consequently, Gammon (1997) notes that
strategies to overcome this can include common
problem focused coping skills such as information
seeking, seeking social support, changing aspects
of the physical environment or exerting role power
to influence a state of events. The research inter-
vention had a noticeable influence in developing
students’ general assertiveness, which as high-
lighted by McCabe and Timmins (2003) improves
communication and personal confidence, both
essential components of effective coping.
A further explanation for the findings of this
study is the role that information plays in promot-
ing an individual’s autonomy (Reeve, 1998), dig-
nity, empowerment and self-respect (Kuokkanen
and Katajisto, 2003). It is argued that information
gives individuals increased participation in their
education (Chally, 1992), and their performance
(Mavis, 2001), the consequences of this is: empow-
erment, control, improved self-esteem, freedom
and improved coping strategies. Information is a
form of self-control and political power, and it pro-
vides a foundation for taking active responsibility
for oneself, enables one to regain self-esteem
and offers a sense of usefulness and satisfaction,
all important for students on undergraduate nurs-
ing programmes.
Limitations
This research has demonstrated some very impor-
tant findings relating to the support of nursing stu-
dents and the role of nurse educators. The study
has shown that students, provided with structure
tutorial support appear to cope more effectively
with their studies and consequently have a higher
self-esteem and decreased levels of stress.
However, it is important to note that these find-
ings must be considered with care for a variety of
methodological reasons. The research, if repli-
cated should have a stronger design and a larger
sample. The study omitted to use a pre-test post-
test design, if utilised a pre-test post-test design
which would establish a baseline and norms of
the dependent variables measured, and a larger
sample would be necessary to improve the validity
and reliability of the research. A further difficulty
was the inability of the researcher to exercise tigh-
ter control over the research conditions because of
the inevitable ethical problems that would result.
Therefore, it must be acknowledged that the sig-
nificant differences measured in this study may
have been due to confounding variables, and the
extent of their influence in this research was un-
known. For example it could be argued that the in-
creased self-esteem in the experimental group was
not solely due to the structured tutorials but may
relate to other factors like academic achievement.
Perhaps if a matched subject design was used then
the potential for differences being due to extrane-
ous variable would have been ameliorated.
A study to ascertain the effect of structured student tutorial support 169
Lastly, it appears from the results that the stress
scale scores may be skewed. Therefore, it could be
argued that because the normal distribution of the
research sample was not demonstrated the use of a
parametric test like the t-test was inappropriate
and perhaps a Mann–Whitney U-test should have
been applied.
Conclusions
Despite the limitations, the utilisation of interven-
tion research is positive, and given the limited
amount of this type of research in nurse education
its design and findings provide a platform for fur-
ther research of this type.
The findings have some implications for nurse
education. This study suggests that nurse educators
have a central role in providing students with infor-
mation and structured tutorial support as part of
their academic studies. Nurse educators should
consider the need to be more proactive and innova-
tive in the support provided to students and recog-
nise the positive benefits it has on learning.
Learning should not be perceived as a stressor, stu-
dents must be supported to ensure that academic
stress is minimised, autonomy is promoted, and
self-esteem developed. Nurse education depart-
ments should examine and evaluate how students
are empowered and their coping abilities maxi-
mised, thus improving their self-esteem and aca-
demic performance. Consideration should be
given to the replication of this study with a stron-
ger research design employed, a larger sample
and ensuring that the effects of the structured
tutorial programme are linked to student learning
outcomes.
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- A study to ascertain the effect of structured student tutorial support on student stress, self-esteem and coping
Introduction
Literature review
Benefits of tutorial support
The effects of self-esteem on education
Methodology
Design
Sample
Research procedure
Experimental group procedure
Control group
Data collection
Student nurse stress index
Self-esteem
Linear analogue coping scale
Data analysis
Results
Discussion: theoretical explanations for the research findings
Limitations
Conclusions
References
Running head: COMPARING QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1
COMPARING QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH 2
[Fill in your name below. Erase these instructions and any instructions in brackets below before submitting your assignment.]
Comparing Research Reports
First and Last Name
Capella University
Comparison Chart One
[Fill in the following chart. Concise and clear responses are preferred.]
Quantitative Research Article
Qualitative Research Article
Title
A study to ascertain the effect of structured student tutorial support on student stress, self-esteem and coping
Caring and fun: Fostering an adolescent-centered community within an interdisciplinary team
Problem
Statement
Research Purpose Statement
Research Question(s)
Comparing the Quantitative and Qualitative Studies
[Answer the following questions as concisely as possible, approximately 100 words for each question. Remove these instructions.]
Similarities and Differences Between the Problem Statements
Similarities and Differences Between the Purpose Statements
Similarities and Differences Between the Research Questions
Comparing the Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies
[Concisely describe the similarities and differences between quantitative and qualitative methodologies in terms of the problems each methodology is best suited to, the data that is collected, and how the data is collected. Your response should be about 100 words.]
Expectations when Reading Research
[Concisely describe how knowing the research methodology (quantitative or qualitative) can help set your expectations when reading a research study in terms of the size of the sample of participants, the kinds of data collected, and how the findings are presented. Your response should be about 100 words.]
Comparison Chart Two
[Fill in the following chart. Concise and clear responses are preferred.]
Quantitative Research Article
Qualitative Research Article
Title
A study to ascertain the effect of structured student tutorial support on student stress, self-esteem and coping
Caring and fun: Fostering an adolescent-centered community within an interdisciplinary team
Sample size and sample characteristics
Data collection method
Data analysis procedure
Applying Research Findings to Professional Practice
[One of the more challenging aspects of using the research findings to improve professional practice is making a judgment call about the degree to which the findings transfer into your professional setting. Researchers refer to this as “transferability.” In this context, the term is defined as the extent to which research findings that are produced in the research site can be meaningfully applied in a different context. As a consumer of research, you must consider the differences between the context of the research article and the context of your professional practice. If there is a wide difference, most likely the research results have very little transferability for you. If there are relevant similarities between the research site and your context, the research results will have a higher level of transferability.
For the purposes of the next section of this assignment, imagine that you work for a mid-sized community college and you have been assigned by the president as the student retention coordinator for the entire institution. Your mandate is to improve student retention at the college by five percent during your first year in this role.]
Similarities and Differences between Your Context and the Research Site: Article One
[After reading A Study to Ascertain the Effect of Structured Student Tutorial Support on Student Stress, Self-Esteem, and Coping by Gammon and Morgan-Samuel (2004), identify the primary similarities and differences between your imagined context as described above and the research site where the study took place.
Assessing the Transferability of Research Results: Article One
[Based on the comparison you completed in the previous section, discuss the degree of transferability of the research results of Gammon’s and Morgan-Samuel’s (2004) study in your new role working to improve student retention. Would you take any specific action to improve student retention based on the findings of this research report? If so, what would you do?]
Similarities and Differences between Your Context and the Research Site: Article Two
[For the purposes of the next section of this assignment, imagine that you are a newly appointed principal of a small high school. The high school currently has a poor record for student retention and a large portion of the student body does not graduate. After reading Fostering an Adolescent-Centered Community within an Interdisciplinary Team by Kiefer and Ellerbrock, identify the primary similarities and differences between your imagined context as described above and the research site where the study took place.]
Assessing the Transferability of Research Results
[Based on the comparison you completed in the previous section, discuss the degree of transferability of the research results of Kiefer’s and Ellerbrock’s (2012) study in your new role working to improve student retention. Would you take any specific action to improve student retention based on the findings of this research report? If so, what would they be?]
Conclusion
[Briefly describe the key concepts you have learned about using research results to improve your professional practice after doing this assignment. Be sure to complete the reference section below in APA format for reference lists.]
References