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THE E-JOURNAL OF STUDENT RESEARCH has been made possible through grants provided by the United States Department of Education, South Central Bell Telephone, American Petroleum Institute, Intertel Foundation, Springhouse Publishing Corporation, Graham Resources, Inc., Chevron Oil Company, Central Louisiana Electric Company, Louisiana State Department of Education, and National Science Foundation. Mandeville Middle School and the National Student Research Center thank these organizations for their generous support of education.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Student Opinions About Books
2. Student Knowledge of Greek Mythology
3. Greek Mythology: A Survey
TITLE: Student Opinions About Books
STUDENT RESEARCHERS: Bethany Kurrus
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: Ellen Marino, M. Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I'm going to do a survey research project about books. I am
interested in this topic because I want to know what kinds of
books sixth graders read, and if they like to read. My hypothesis
states that the majority of the students at Mandeville Middle
School won't like to read books on their own.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I wrote my statement of purpose and review of the
literature. Next, I developed my hypothesis and questionnaire.
Then I drew a random sample of students, administered the
questionnaires, and analyzed my data. Finally, I wrote my summary
and conclusion and application.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
I sent out 18 questionnaires to sixth grade students. All of them
were returned. A majority of 14 students agree that reading on
their own is a good idea. A majority of 12 students agree that
they should read books when they don't have to. A majority of 11
students say that they like to share a good book with a friend.
Eleven students read books over the summer. Twelve students liked
a book so much that they read it again. Sixteen of the students
wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen in the library. Eight students
would rather read a story about teenagers, 2 would rather read a
story about animals, 2 would rather read an adventure story, 3
would rather read science fiction, and 2 would rather read sports.
Two students would rather read in school, 8 inside at home, 4
anyplace, and 4 outside. A majority of 10 students read 0-2 hours
each week. A majority of 11 students sometimes or often read
books not assigned in class.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
Most of the students liked to read books. Therefore, I reject my
hypothesis, which stated that the majority of the students at
Mandeville Middle School won't like to read books on their own.
V. APPLICATION:
Parents and teachers should do more to motivate those children who
don't like to read. I could tell the sixth grade language arts
teachers that most of the students like to read.
TITLE: Student Knowledge of Greek Mythology
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Jennifer Allen
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: Ellen Marino, M.Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I wanted to do a research project on Greek mythology and find out
what sixth graders know about it. My hypothesis states that the
majority of the sixth graders at Mandeville Middle School will
correctly answer at least half of the questions about Greek
mythology.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I stated my purpose, developed my hypothesis, and reviewed
the literature. Next, I developed a questionnaire and drew a
random sample of 18 sixth grade students. After that I
administered and scored the questionnaires. Then I analyzed the
data, wrote the summary and conclusions, and applied my findings
to the real world. Finally, I turned in my complete report for
publication.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
Sixteen out of the 18 questionnaires were returned. Eight
students knew that Poseidon was the God of the Sea. Ten students
knew that Athena was the Goddess of Wisdom. Only 4 students knew
that Demeter was the Goddess of Seasons. Fourteen students knew
that Medusa had snakes for hair. Eight students knew that Athene
turned Arachne into a spider. Only 4 students knew that the shoe
company Nike was named after a Greek god. Only 6 students knew
that Jason was associated with the Golden Fleece. The majority of
the students agreed that studying Greek mythology is interesting,
that Greek mythology has an influence on us today, and that Greek
myths teach lessons.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
Since the sixth graders answered the majority of the questions
correctly, I accept my hypothesis which stated that the majority
of the sixth graders at Mandeville Middle School will correctly
answer at least half of the questions about Greek mythology.
V. APPLICATION:
I'm going to share this information with sixth grade teachers
because the majority of the students said that studying Greek
mythology was interesting. I think that the sixth grade teachers
should keep on teaching Greek mythology.
TITLE: Greek Mythology
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Katherine Smith
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: Ellen Marino
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I wanted to do a scientific research project on what 6th graders
know about mythology. My hypothesis states that the majority of
6th graders at Mandeville Middle School will correctly answer at
least 50% of the questions.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I wrote my statement of purpose and developed my
hypothesis. Next, I reviewed the literature. Next, I made a
questionnaire and drew a random sample of eighteen 6th graders at
Mandeville Middle School. I administered the questionnaires and
scored them. Then I analyzed my data, wrote a summary and
conclusion, and applied my findings to the real world.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
Sixteen out of eighteen questionnaires where returned. A majority
of students knew that Zeus had many wives and that there are
constellations named after Greek myths. Less than half knew that
Persephonie was Demeter's daughter and that there where twelve
Olympians. More than half the students knew that mythology is the
source of many words, that Zeus is the most powerful god, and that
Greece and Rome are the source of most myths. Only 7 students
knew that Demeter is in charge of the seasons. Only 3 students
agreed that mythology is a part of everyday life and that
mythology should NOT be taken seriously. However eleven students
agree that mythology is interesting to study.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
Since 63% of the questions where answered correctly, I accept my
hypothesis which stated that the majority of 6th grade students at
Mandeville Middle School will correctly answer at least 50% of the
questions dealing with myths correctly.
V. APPLICATION:
Now I am going to tell other teachers about the information I have
gathered and encourage them to continue teaching mythology.
© 1994 John I. Swang, Ph.D.