An Orientation to Research: A Workshop for CLTA Members

 

To: CLTA Members

From: The Jiede Committee

Re:  CLTA Workshop

Date: March 31, 2004

  

As CLTA members seek to learn about the latest innovations in Chinese language teaching and learning, many may view the empirical research process as being exclusionary and intimidating. The Jiede Committee, [representing the CLTA Jiede (all-attain) Empirical Research Grant established in 2003], proposes to demystify that process through a workshop entitled "An Orientation to Research" at the next CLTA meeting in Chicago.  The workshop will be open to twenty individuals and will be held from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm on November 19, 2004.

 

The workshop will be conducted by Professor Michael Everson, and is designed for individuals with little or no knowledge of the research process.  Professor Everson's new compilation of a complete bibliography of empirical studies in our field will be distributed to workshop attendees.

 

Topics will include:

 

· The Research Process: The How's and Why's of Constructing Knowledge

· Qualitative and Quantitative Research Traditions: How They Differ

· Terminology Frequently Encountered in Research

· How to Read a Research Study: A Step by Step Guide

· Examples of How Research Becomes Practice/Pedagogy

 

At the present time, we would like to get a sense of how well this endeavor will be received by the CLTA membership.  Therefore, if you are sure that you would like to attend this workshop, please contact Professor Everson (michael-everson@uiowa.edu) by April 10  to let him know. This will give the members of the Jiede Committee the information they need to organize this event.

 

The charge for the workshop is $50 per person to cover organizational expenses.