is a professor of civil engineering at Howard University. She has spearheaded a number of research and intervention initiatives to attract and retain underrepresented minorities, particularly African Americans, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and to improving the quality of engineering education for undergraduates. She is a Carnegie Scholar and a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Dr. Kalynda Chivon Smith, Howard University Kalynda Smith is a social psychologist and Rearch Associate in the Civil Engineering Department at Howard University. Dr. Smith has conducted research involving gender role stereotypes, cognition, and the academic achievement of African American students. She is currently working on a longintudinal study that is investigating the academic pathways African American undergraduate engineering students take throughout their academic careers. Dr. Smith's research interests include the academic achievement of African American students in the STEM disciplines, development of the self among pre-adolescents, and the impact various forms of media has on students' academic achievement.
This study attempted to better understand the study behaviors of undergraduate students by categorizing students into distinctive typologies based on their self-reported study behaviors through an exploratory approach-Q factor analysis. A sample of 152 undergraduate students completed a survey instrument, the Study Behavior Inventory. The Q factor analysis yielded a two-factor structure. Participants exhibiting the first behavioral type demonstrated reflective, well-organized study behaviors and favored high-level thinking; thus were described as "Organized Holistic Learners". Those exhibiting the second behavioral type were found to manage time poorly and primarily focus on memorizing facts; thus were labeled "Disorganized Procrastinators". Type 1 students had significantly higher average GPAs than Type 2 students. Student type was a significant predictor of academic achievement, as measured by self-reported GPA above and beyond students' attribute variables including sex, age, major, and enrollment status. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.
To improve students' functional understanding of plagiarism, a variety of approaches was tried within a comprehensive information literacy program. Sessions were taught as a "module" inside a required communications skills class at a private university. Approaches taken included control, direct-instruction, and student-centered sessions. Students were taught content and definitions regarding plagiarism, what circumstances or instances constitute plagiarism, where to go for help in avoiding plagiarism, and what constitutes appropriate paraphrasing. Pretest and posttest scores indicated that no approach performed significantly better than the others; however, even though students improved across all methods, they nonetheless showed the need for more hands-on practice.
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