Enhancing post graduates research skills through an intervention program in light of EAP approach

Abstract EN

This study aimed at enhancing post graduate students’ research skills through an intervention program in light of EAP approach and Vygotsky’s social constructivism.

Research participants were 117 teachers of different specializations enrolled in the pre-master stage at Cairo University, who study to get their master degree in education.

Three instruments were used: a questionnaire, interviews with some university professors and students, and a pre-posttest that measures the development in the students’ research skills.

A pilot study was conducted on a sample of MA students to verify the insufficiency of their research skills due to the inadequate preparation they received through their graduate courses.

A sample of students’ initial proposals were analyzed to highlight the skills that needed to be incorporated in the intervention program.

The course entitled “Research Approaches in English” was revised and reconstructed in light of students’ responses to the questionnaire and the results of proposals analysis.

The components of the program were constructed in light of English for Academic purposes approach (EAP) as the participants were studying English for the purpose of pursuing their master degree and to develop their research skills in English.

The main objective of the course was to support the graduate students in developing their research skills in English.

The results revealed that the students needed support in their selection of research problem, writing a research title, writing a good abstract, developing research rationale, writing introduction, literature review, selecting an adequate methodology, research procedures, and documenting their resources in English.

The intervention program proved effective in relation to the defined research skills.