Interdisciplinary Challenges in Writing Questionnaire

As part of the Colloquium, we have created the Interdisciplinary Challenges in Writing Questionnaire. Its purpose is to find out about writing across RUM from the viewpoint of faculty and administrators. It asks you to share your views about 1) writing in your academic life 2) writing in the academic lives of your undergraduate students 3) writing in the academic lives of your graduate students. Your responses will help us begin to find out the role that writing plays at RUM.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Gender


2. First language:




3. Language you use in your teaching most of the time:


4. College




5. If you are in Arts and Sciences:


6. If you are in Engineering:






7. Highest degree:







8. Year when highest degree earned:
9. Number of undergraduate preparations you have this semester:





10. Number of undergraduate students you have this semester:





11. Number of graduate preparations you have this semester:




12. Number of graduate students you have this semester:


WRITING IN YOUR ACADEMIC LIFE

13. Language you use most of the time for your academic writing:




14. Language you use most of the time for the following types of academic writing:

Spanish English Both languages
Papers for conference presemntation
Articles (book reviews, etc. ) for publications in refereed journals
Proposals and progress reports for external granting agencies
Proposal and progress reports for on-island granting agencies
Technical reports
Laboratory reports
Visuals for presentations (slides, hand-outs, etc. )
Course materials (syllabi, visuals, etc.)
Letters
Memos
E-mail
Web-site
15. Type of academic writing unique to your field and not previously listed:
16. Language you use most of the time for academic writing unique to your field:






WRITING IN THE ACADEMIC LIVES OF YOUR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

17. Indicate by rank order the overall amount of time your undergraduate students spend for each of the following activities during a semester:
most time least time
1 2 3 4
listening to lectures
speaking in class
reading for class
writing for class
18. Types of test questions you give your undergraduate students most of the time (check as many as apply):









19. Importance of writing skills in Spanish for undergraduate success:
Extremely important Very Important Somewhat important Of less importance Not important
in your department
in your field after graduation
20. Indicate by rank order the Spanish writing skills of your undergraduate students:
best worst
1 2 3 4
Clarity (clear and easy to read)
Conciseness(not verbose)
Organization
Grammar
21. Importance of writing skills in English for undergraduate success:
extremely important very important somewhat important of less importance not important
in your department
In your field after graduation
22. Indicate by rank order the English writing skills of your undergraduate students:
best worst
1 2 3 4
Clarity (clear and easy to read)
Conciseness (not verbose)
Organization
Grammar
23. Language that your undergraduate students use most of the time for the following types of academic writing:
Spanish English Both languages
Take notes on topics introduced in class
Paraphase & summarize academic material
Synthesize academic material
Analyze academic material
Summarize statistical & graphic data
Present information
Write descriptive & expository texts
Write laboratory reports
Write technical reports
Write research reports
Write collaboratively
Write correspondence of a job search
Write graduate school application
Use the internet


WRITING IN THE ACADEMIC LIVES OF YOUR GRADUATE STUDENTS

24. Indicate by rank order the overall amount of time your graduate students spend for each of the following activities during a semester:
most time least time
1 2 3 4
listening to lectures
speaking in class
reading for class
writing for class
25. Types of test questions you give to your graduate students most of the time (check as many as apply):







26. Importance of writing skills in Spanish for graduate success:
Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Of less importance Not important
in your department
in your field after graduation
27. Indicate by rank order the Spanish writing skills of your graduate students:
best worst
1 2 3 4
Clarity (clear and easy to read
Conciseness (not verbose)
Organization
Grammar


28. Importance of writing skills in English for graduate success:
Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Of less importance Not important
in your department
in your field after graduation
29. Indicate by rank order the English writing skills of your graduate students:
best worst
1 2 3 4
Clarity (clear and easy to read
Conciseness (not verbose)
Organization
Grammar


30. Language that your graduate students use most of the time for the following types of academic writing:
Spanish English Both languages
Take notes on topics introduced in class
Paraphrase & summarize academic material
Synthesize & analyze academic material
Summarize statistical & graphic data
Present information
Write descriptive & expository texts
Write reports
Write collaboratively
Write correspondence for job search
Use the internet
Take a comprehensive exam
Write a thesis proposal
Write a thesis
Make a professional presentation


COMMENTS AND FUTURE CONTACT

31. This is a preliminary questionnaire which we would like to extend in the future. We would welcome any comments, suggestions, or questions about the questionnaire and writing. Please use the space below:
32. If you would be willing to sit down with us for a more in-depth conversation about writing, please leave the following information, and we will contact you.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP WITH THIS QUESTIONNAIRE!