<研究ノート>Group Membership and Writing Apprehension : Do they affect Academic Writing?

Abstract

This study was a follow-up to Cornwell and McKay's 1997 study measuring Writing Apprehension (WA) at Osaka Jogakuin Junior College (OJJC). It has been documented that writing is an important part of the curriculum at OJJC. (Cornwell & McKay 1997 ; Cornwell & McKay 1998) It has also been seen that students with high levels of writing apprehension perform less successfully than those with lower levels. (Powell, 1984 ; Frankinburger, 1991) The main purpose of this study was to see if the makeup of peer editing groups within a writing class would have any effect on either WA or grades over the course of a ten-week semester. Would a mixed group consisting of both high and low apprehensive do better than a group consisting of only high apprehensive? This study's results, along with suggestions for future research, are presented.