Abstract:
The purpose of this action research study was to investigate elementary school student
use of online research resources for the development of research reports. As outlined in
the action research proposal, this qualitative study included instruction delivered to a
class of 26 fifth-grade students on accessing and using subscribed online databases as
well as developing skills on researching and evaluating online research resources. Data
were collected before, during, and after the intervention using surveys, a Checklist of
Research Resources, and student interviews. In addition, a select group of students
completed the Student Task for Determining Usability of Online Resources as they
participated in a usability study on online research resources. In the article manuscript,
the results showed that, after the intervention, students were more open to using
subscribed online resources, even though Google is still their preferred online research
resource. In addition, after classroom instruction, students were able to locate subscribed
online research resources and selected many of the subscribed online resources to find
information for their research reports on World War I. Both prior to and during the
intervention, students expressed confidence in locating reliable information using online
research resources. Therefore, it was difficult to determine how the use of subscribed
online research resources influences student confidence in locating information and for
obtaining reliable research resources. More research is needed to answer this question.
The results of this study were communicated to the learning community through a formal
discussion during a weekly grade-level meeting. The information was received very
positively, and I expressed my gratitude for the cooperation of the students and teacher in
this research endeavor by treating them to an ice cream party!