Writing for Publications Using Fraternity and Sorority Populations

Writing for Publications Using Fraternity and Sorority Populations Eric Norman, Ed. D. Louisiana State University J. Patrick Biddix, Ph. D. Valdosta State University Rachel Underwood Valdosta State University Monday, December 7 1: 15 PM - 2: 30 PM City Terrace 8

Introductions n n n Eric Norman Patrick Biddix Rachel Underwood No research is ever quite complete. It is the glory of a good bit of work that it opens the way for something still better, and this repeatedly leads to its own eclipse. Mervin Gordon

Outline of Presentation n n n n Introduction and overview Objectives Overview of research Review of historical and current research Noted trends Targeted hot topics Discussion Q&A Conclusion

AFA Core Competencies n Researcher n n Uses research to guide practice Assesses needs of the fraternity/sorority community Engages constituents in strategic planning Leader n Shares knowledge and mentors others in field n Exhibits leadership skills in daily work through critical thinking, risk taking, and creativity n Participates in continued professional development through AFA and other organizations

Objectives n n n What we have learned from research Where the field needs to go Venues to accomplish this goal Decreased anxiety for publication Understanding the process of submission

Overview of Research n n Understand the purpose To include: n n n n Abstract Introduction/Background Methodology Limitations Results Discussion References

Types of Research n Qualitative n n Quantitative n n Ethnography Pre and Post Test Program Development Formative n Summative n

Types of Research - APA n n n Empirical studies – original Article reviews/meta analysis Theoretical Articles – advance theory Methodological articles Case studies

Most commonly subjects in fraternity/sorority research… n n n Academics Alcohol/Drug usage Assessment/Evaluation Hazing Sexual Assault

Why Research Fraternity/Sorority Life n n n n Theory development Assessment/Evaluation Retention Improve academic standards Risk reduction Resource allocation Interest in the students served Examine trends

Research Cheers and Jeers n n n Bias Use scientific method Masters verses doctorate studies? The common facts today are the products of yesterday’s research. – Duncan Mc. Donald

Examples of Affiliation Benefits n n n Involvement (Astin, 1984) Persistence to graduation (Astin, 1975) and (Kuh, Douglas, Lund, & Ramin-Gyurnek, 1994) Satisfaction with undergraduate experience (Neubereger & Hanzon, 1997) Service learning opportunities (Pike, 2000) Retention & Persistence (Debard, Lake, & Binder, 2006)

Affiliation Benefits continued n Related to Chickering: Establishing and clarifying purpose n Developing mature interpersonal relationships n Establishing trust n Reciprocal care and honesty (Hunt & Rentz, 1994) n

Affiliation Benefits. . . ? n n n Cognitive development Scholastic ability Leadership development Conversation means being able to disagree and still continue the conversation – Dwight Mac. Donald

Critics n Focus on the: n Abuse of alcohol Hazing Sexual harassment/assaults Academic deficiencies Homogeneity Academic detriments n Questionable developmental deficiencies n n n Research teaches a man to admit he is wrong and to be proud of the fact that he does so, rather than try with all his energy to defend an unsound plan because he is afraid that admission of error is a confession of weakness when rather it is a sign of strength. - H. E. Stocher

Affiliation Detriments…? n n Greater homogeneity Alcohol use Quantity n Frequency n n n Adverse impact on cultural sophistication Critical thinking skills (Pascarella, 1996)

Interesting Impacts of Affiliation n Smaller shift towards liberalism (Wilder, Hoyt, Surbeck, Wilder, & Carney, 1986)

System Reviews n n n American Council of Education (1990) Jelke (2001) Zacker (2001) NIC Call for Values Congruence/Franklin Square Group Boyle (1992)

Collaboration Studies n n n Academic achievement by a chapter is more dependent upon local campus GPA (Shaffer, 1983) Higher achieving chapters attract higher achieving new members (Carney, 1980) And converse is true (Rhodes, 1980)

Recent Topics n n n n Cost benefit analysis for fraternal orgs Hazing Evaluation of Alcohol programming Eating disordered knowledge of Admin. Leadership development effecting career development Perceptions of leadership Assessing learning and development

Recent topics – cont. n n n n Fake ID use Gay males in fraternities On line alcohol curriculum evaluation Definitions of Hazing Membership effects on GPA and retention Understanding ritual Cognitive effects of affiliation

Recent topics – cont. n n n n Alcohol behavior and beliefs Sorority Body Issues and Eating Disorders Attitudes toward Fraternities Risky Health Behaviors Social Pressures Race, Affiliation, and Graduation Fraternity Membership (Non-Black Members in BGLOs)

Desired topics n n n http: //www. indiana. edu/~sao/cscfsite/ Senior retention Deferred recruitment/Intake Honor Codes Self-governance Impact of chapter size

Desired topics cont. n n n n Impact of cultural based orgs Character building/Ethics/Values Leadership skills Council differences Identity development Critical thinking Issues of Pluralism

Desired topics cont. n n n n Impact of social networking Civic outcomes Technology issues Practitioner research Student development/growth Non-NIC/NPC member experiences Multi-institutional research

Additional Research Needs n Multi-campus studies n Research from (inter)national offices

Venues: Where to look for research n Oracle n NASPA Journal n JSCD n Dissertations n New Directions Series

Other Venues n n n n Psychology in Schools Personnel and Guidance Journal Sociology of Education Journal of Applied Psychology Educational Record Journal of Higher Education Journal of College Student Retention Review of Educational Research

The Submission Process n Submit n Editor Review n Peer Review n Editorial Board n Publisher

Submission Timeline n Submission to Acceptance: 2 - 6 months n Editing: 2 – 6 months n Publication: 6 months

Helpful Hints n n n Research focus – not opinion Sound methodology Write for an audience

Helpful Hints - Continued n Use datasets that already exist n National n n n EBI NSSE Greek Experience Survey LPI Campus n n n Academic reports Judicial trends Matriculation reports Development Service learning

Helpful Hints – Cont. n n n Interviews Focus groups Case studies Evaluate/Assess programs Use papers written for class Expand on presentations

Funding Institutional grants n AFA n CFEA n International foundations n NHF n

Common Issues n Language Put a “Nail in the coffin” on cliché’s n Verb tense n Greek is a culture, not a fraternal community n n n Formatting Unreliable or invalid instruments

Barriers Time n Writing ability n Comfort with statistics n IRB n Response rate n

Mentoring n n n Research design Statistical analysis Writing Literature review Formatting

Resources n n n n AFA NASPA ACPA CAS Order of Omega Gamma Sigma Alpha Center for the Student of the College Fraternity

Questions? Research means that you don’t know, but you are willing to find out. – Charles F. Kettering

Contact information J. Patrick Biddix, Ph. D. jpbiddix@valdosta. edu Eric M. Norman, Ed. D. enorman@lsu. edu Rachel Underwood rrunderwood@valdosta. edu