Date

4-2012

Department

School of Education

Degree

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Chair

Daniel N. Baer

Primary Subject Area

Education, General; Education, Secondary; Education, Tests and Measurements; Language, General; Education, Higher

Keywords

college freshmen, correlation, high school students, relationship, SAT writing test, SMS text messages

Disciplines

Communication Technology and New Media | Education | Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | English Language and Literature | Liberal Studies | Linguistics

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to reveal whether there is a relationship between students' volume of text messaging and formal writing performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test writing section. The study also examined gender as a contributing variable in this measure. As a supplementary correlation, student text message volume was also compared to their Writing I course final grade. The study focused solely on texting because texting has become the preferred method of telecommunication among teens and young adults (Lindley, 2008, p. 19). The design included a questionnaire that collected data to show whether any relationships exist that indicate a correlation between paired scores. The sample was taken from college freshmen who have completed the SAT writing test and who finished ENG100, 101, 101H, or equivalent freshman writing course during the fall 2011 semester. The results of the study showed a significant negative relationship between female students' average monthly text message volume and SAT writing scores.

Download

Share

COinS