Comparison Matrix and Outline
Grand Canyon University: RES811
March 2, 2016

Comparison Matrix | Article 1 | Article 2 | Article 3 | Title/Author(s) | Critical Thinking In Distance Education and Traditional EducationVisser, L., Visser, Y. L., & Schlosser, C. (2003) | Developmental Networks and Learning: Toward an Interdisciplinary Perspective on Identity Development During Doctoral Study. Baker, V., & Lattuca, L. R. (2010) | Socialization of Doctoral Students to Academic NormsWeidman, J. C., & Stein, E. L. (2003) | | | | | Persistent GCU library link | https://lopes-idm-oclc-org.library.gcu.edu:2443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=12620957&site=ehost-live&scope=site | https://lopes-idm-oclc-org.library.gcu.edu:2443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=54329722&site=ehost-live&scope=site | https://lopes-idm-oclc-org.library.gcu.edu:2443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=11092904&site=ehost-live&scope=site | | | | | Purpose of the studyWhat is the author’s rationale for selecting this topic? Does he build a strong case? | The purpose of the study of this article is to explain whether current teaching practices require higher order thinking. | The purpose of the study of this article is to explain the differences between types of learners from different countries and whether the learner does better with a network of support around them from their colleagues, family and friends or better from teachers and from a school setting. | The purpose of the study of this article is to explain the success of the graduate student’s level of interaction between the doctoral student and their teachers or faculty and other students and their success in their field of study. | | | | | Research Question(s)What question(s) does the author present? | Are teachers enabling students to think less by giving them too much information rather than requiring critical thinking skills? | Which environment do doctoral students do better in and whether learning is developmental or socially driven? | A survey was administered to determine the level of socialization between students and faculty as well as the interactions between other students, and whether either contributed to their success or failure as learners. | | | | | Literature ReviewHow is this organized? What are the main themes found in the review? Who are the main authors used? | In this article, the author’s used other’s research to help determine when and where critical thinking took place. The main theme throughout the article is how to create more critical thinkers. | In this article, the author’s used other’s research to determine whether the environment plays a role in learner. The main theme throughout this article is determining whether learners are taught better through a social environment or is developmental. This study was primarily focused around the doctoral student. | In this article, the author’s used other’s research to help determine which variables played a bigger role in learning, more peer interactions during learning or more student and faculty interactions. The author’s surveyed students in this study to determine the results. | | | | | Sample Population(s)What group(s) is/are being studied? | The populations being studied in this article were students in 66 private and public universities in California. | The populations being studied in this article were doctoral students and how they learn. | The populations being studied in this article are professional and doctoral students. | | | | | LimitationsWhat are the limitations of the study? Why can it only encompass so much? | The only limitation I could possibly see is that the percentage of teachers or instructors was very low when it came to trying to determine what factors presented higher critical thinking. Another issue is that people being studied did not have a strong understanding of critical thinking and what basic concepts were essential to understanding critical thinking in students. | The limitations to this study are mainly based on biases of the groups being studied. Different opinions are made about the groups and influence different perspectives on what it means to be a teacher and or a researcher. | I did not see any limitations to this survey study. I feel that a good number of students were surveys and the questions were reasonable based on the information wanting to be obtained. | | | | | Results/ ConclusionsWhat did the author find through the study? Was the original question answered? | The authors determined based on the study those students who are presented a learning environment where they can discover on their own either in groups or individually, create high order thinkers. | The authors determined based on their study that more information and research is needed and ultimately depends on the student and their interest and experiences. | The authors determined that the study shows that socialization of doctoral students and their academic environment plays a large role in their success is contributed to how well the faculty and the students interact with each other. |

Outline 1) Introduction a) Doctoral learners face many challenges. b) The environment may influence how successful a doctoral student will be.
1. The purpose of the study of articles were to explain whether current teaching practices require higher order thinking, explain the differences between the different types of learners, and also to determine the amount of interactions among the faculty and learners and how it contributes to student successes.
2. The shared themes among the three articles are what contribute to the successes of students in the doctoral programs. 3. I am now a doctoral student and it was important to note from the article’s what makes a doctoral student more successful. c) Is the doctoral student’s level of success in the program greatly tied to their environment and how they interact among other students, and their teachers. 2) Comparison of Research Questions d) Are teachers enabling students to think less by giving them too much information rather than requiring critical thinking skills? e) Which environment do doctoral students do better in and whether learning is developmental or socially driven? f) Does socialization between students and faculty as well as the interactions between other students, contributed to their success or failure as learners. g) The shared themes among the three articles are what contribute to the successes of students in the doctoral programs. 3) Comparison of Sample Populations h) The populations being studied in this article were students in 66 private and public universities in California. i) The populations being studied in this article were doctoral students and how they learn. j) The populations being studied in this article are professional and doctoral students. k) All three articles focused on professional and doctoral learners and what contributed their being more successful in their studies and what universities could do to improve student success. 4) Comparison of Limitations l) The percentage of teachers or instructors was very low when it came to trying to determine what factors presented higher critical thinking. m) Another issue is that people being studied did not have a strong understanding of critical thinking and what basic concepts were essential to understanding critical thinking in students. n) The limitations to this study are mainly based on biases of the groups being studied. Different opinions are made about the groups and influence different perspectives on what it means to be a teacher and or a researcher. Additional Limitations o) I did not see any limitations to this survey study. I feel that a good number of students were surveys and the questions were reasonable based on the information wanting to be obtained. 5) Comparison of Results p) The authors determined based on the study those students who are presented a learning environment where they can discover on their own either in groups or individually, create high order thinkers. q) The authors determined based on their study that more information and research is needed and ultimately depends on the student and their interest and experiences. r) The authors determined that the study shows that socialization of doctoral students and their The authors determined that the study shows that socialization of doctoral students and their academic environment plays a large role in their success is contributed to how well the faculty and the students interact with each other. 6) Conclusion s) I feel that there are many variables to what makes a doctoral student successful. The three articles touch on many areas that could contribute the what makes one student more successful than another and it is important to understand and consider researching deeper into the subject since this will be an important aspect of my life over the next few year. t) I think finding more articles that address doctoral learners and their success in different parts of the world might be useful u) Determining the support system the doctoral student has would also contribute to the level of success the students has would also be important to research.