The Benefits of Choice on Writing Performance Between Genders
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
20-4-2015 2:00 PM
End Date
20-4-2015 3:30 PM
Student's Major
Psychology
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Carlos Panahon
Mentor's Email Address
carlos.panahon@mnsu.edu
Mentor's Department
Psychology
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Second Mentor's Name
Shawna Petersen-Brown
Second Mentor's Email Address
shawna.petersen-brown@mnsu.edu
Second Mentor's Department
Psychology
Second Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Third Mentor's Name
Samantha Steinman
Third Mentor's Deparment
Psychology
Third Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
In recent decades, the gap between male and female academic performance has widened in favor of females, specifically within the area of writing performance. This difference between genders has provoked an examination of what may contribute to this difference and an intervention to bridge the gap. Much research has focused on gender gaps and choice intervention separately, but little research has focused on choice interventions that may be particularly beneficial to males in the interest of closing this gap. The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of a choice intervention on writing performance and to compare performance benefits across male and female participants. Participants were male and female students in a public school district, who were randomly assigned to either Choice or No Choice groups. The Choice Group received two writing probes from which to choose while the No Choice Group received only one probe. Each session lasted about 5 minutes and data were collected 2 times per week across 6 weeks. Total words written (TWW) by males and females will be compared in both conditions to investigate any potential gender differences in benefits obtained from the provision of choice. Anticipated outcomes are that the choice writing intervention will lead to increased TWW compared to students who receive no choice. Additionally, female students’ writing performance is expected to increase more than male students. Exploring gender differences is important because male students are at risk of being over-identified with performance deficits in the area of writing.
The Benefits of Choice on Writing Performance Between Genders
CSU Ballroom
In recent decades, the gap between male and female academic performance has widened in favor of females, specifically within the area of writing performance. This difference between genders has provoked an examination of what may contribute to this difference and an intervention to bridge the gap. Much research has focused on gender gaps and choice intervention separately, but little research has focused on choice interventions that may be particularly beneficial to males in the interest of closing this gap. The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of a choice intervention on writing performance and to compare performance benefits across male and female participants. Participants were male and female students in a public school district, who were randomly assigned to either Choice or No Choice groups. The Choice Group received two writing probes from which to choose while the No Choice Group received only one probe. Each session lasted about 5 minutes and data were collected 2 times per week across 6 weeks. Total words written (TWW) by males and females will be compared in both conditions to investigate any potential gender differences in benefits obtained from the provision of choice. Anticipated outcomes are that the choice writing intervention will lead to increased TWW compared to students who receive no choice. Additionally, female students’ writing performance is expected to increase more than male students. Exploring gender differences is important because male students are at risk of being over-identified with performance deficits in the area of writing.
Recommended Citation
Kadlec, Crystal and Kier Kienholz. "The Benefits of Choice on Writing Performance Between Genders." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 20, 2015.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2015/poster_session_B/39
