A method for the analysis of information use in source-based writing

Introduction. Past research on source-based writing assignments has hesitated to scrutinize how students actually use information afforded by sources. This paper introduces a method for the analysis of text transformations from sources to texts composed. The method is aimed to serve scholars in building a more detailed understanding of how students work with sources, for example, in paraphrasing, summarising and synthesising information. Method. The proposed method is introduced by presenting its domain, procedure and justifications, and by sketching a coding framework for text transformations. The characteristics of the method are demonstrated by reporting a case study: the use of information in seventeen Wikipedia/wiki articles written in a collaborative assignment by upper secondary school students. Analysis. The domain of the method is represented by characterising its goal and application area. The procedure of the method is represented as an ordered set of operations and its use is demonstrated in the case study. The justifications of the method are addressed by discussing appropriateness, validity, reliability and efficiency issues related to the method. Results. The findings of the case study demonstrate that new research questions can be answered by applying the method. In terms of research economy, the method is reasonably efficient. No major problems related to the validity and reliability of the method were observed. Conclusions. The proposed method is a novel research instrument for the study of information use. It opens up interesting possibilities to analyse text transformations in source-based writing and expand our understanding of the core processes of information use.