Marcia's Sample Articles

Marcia M. Pearce
April 28, 2010
Dr. Turner

Sample Article

What do you like?
What do you find effective?
What structures/rhetorical devices help convince the reader the results are “true”?

Kelly, C. A. (2002). Creating equitable classroom climates: an investigation of classroom strategies in mathematics and science instruction for developing preservice teachers’ use of democratic social values. Child Study Journal, 32 (1), 39-52.

The structure of this qualitative study by Kelly (2002) seems to be straightforward. I do not have to “search” through pages of this study for the theoretical framework. The purpose is the very first sentence:
The purpose of this study was to describe and delineate a series of methods used to prepare preservice teacher candidates to create equitable classroom climates and, ultimately, to better serve all children’s learning needs (Kelly, 2002, p. 39).
What I like about this study is that there is a secondary objective highlighted directly after the purpose statement, which is ethical and honorable--there is no hidden agenda. As Dr. Turner stated during the last class, a study does not have to begin with a purpose statement, but many research reports begin with flowery narrative and unfolding events. The literature review is well developed: it is an in-depth review that provides different views on building democratic environments for preservice teachers. It follows traditional headings so there is no guessing game. In addition to a concrete structure, the language is academic but reader-friendly. The author does not try to go over your head with terms that only doctors and lawyers could understand. A parent or teacher could read it without difficulty. Many times the academic world engages in “gatekeeping” by publishing studies that very few people can comprehend. All of the terms and keywords are clearly defined at the beginning of and throughout the study.

The methodology is clear. Participants are described by grade, level, gender, and race. Their racial breakdown consists of 14 percent Hispanic, 68 percent European American, and seven percent Afro-American. Participants’ ages range from 20 to 54, with the average age being 31. The study’s duration is for three months. Procedures include a full description of the assessment process along with an easy-to-read table. This study is not oversaturated with graphs, but uses just enough to highlight information to help the reader make connections. The use of transitional words indicates a flow from the process (study) to the product (results). The concluding paragraph provides a brief summary of the study with realistic recommendations for preservice teachers. Overall, this study was an excellent example of qualitative research.