Difficulties Facing English Majors in Writing Research Papers at the Islamic University of Gaza

Statement of the Problem What are the difficulties facing English majors in writing research papers at I.U.G.?

Questions of the Study A- What are the main difficulties in technical skills facing English majors in writing research papers at I.U.G.? B- What are the main difficulties in research skills facing English majors in writing research papers at I.U.G.? C- What are the causes of the main difficulties in technical skills from the point of view of writing teachers at I.U.G.? D- What are the causes of the main difficulties in research skills from the point of view of writing teachers at I.U.G.?

Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study is: The purpose of the study is: - to identify, classify and analyze the main difficulties in technical skills and research skills by analyzing English majors ’ research papers and testing them by the diagnostic test, - to reveal the causes of these difficulties by interviewing the writing teachers at I.U.G., and to give recommendations to overcome these difficulties.

Significance of the Study A. English majors: because it highlights the difficulties in writing research papers, which they face, and the related causes in order to help them to overcome these difficulties. B. Teachers of English because it reveals the writing difficulties and their causes which represent problems for English majors in order to conduct remedial work. C. Textbook writers and curricula designers to concentrate on these difficulties, and to give more recommendations to solve these problems.

Definition of Terms Difficulty: difficulties (n) “ A difficulty is a problem... if you have difficult doing something, you are not able to do it easily … if you are in difficulty or difficulties, you are having a lot of problems ”. (BBC Dictionary, 1992, p. 313). Difficulty: difficulties (n) is a problematic issue that is uneasy to understand or achieve correctly from the first time for (50%) of English majors (operational definition). The researcher adopts the operational definition.

Writing is “ a complex … process involving the construction of recorded messages on paper or on some other material, and, more recently, on a computer screen ” (Swales and Feak 1994: 34). Writing means “ to form (letters, words, or symbols) on a surface such as paper with an instrument such as a pen … to trace or form letters, words, or symbols on paper or another surface, to produce written material, such as articles or books, to compose a letter; communicate by mail ” (The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language 2000). The researcher adopts this definition, because it is simple and wider than Swales and Feak ’ s definition.

Research paper “ can be an engrossing, creative activity. By gathering information, analyzing its separate elements, and composing a synthesis of them, you come to know your subject deeply ” (Troyka 1999: 505). Research paper means preparing the necessary information to answer a question or to solve a problem. And it needs to analysis and interrupt primary information to reach the fact (Al- Agha, 2002, p. 3). The researcher adopts Al- Agha ’ s definition, because it is more suitable to her study.

Skill “ refers to systematic and coordinated patterm of mental and physical activity, involving both receptor, processes, and effector processes. Skills may be perceptual, motor, manual, intellectual, social etc ” (Taneja 1998: 246). Skill is the ability to do something easily, precisely, and successfully by using mental or physical activity (Operational definition). The researcher adopts the operational definition.

Difficulties in Writing Research Papers are the problems in the skills of writing research papers, whether these are technical skills or research skills, which appear: in the analysis of English majors ’ research papers, the experts ’ responses, the diagnostic test; and prevent (50%) of students from writing an academic research papers, (Operational definition). The researcher adopts the operational definition.

Technical Skills are not just needed for writing research paper, but also for all writing types. Research Skills are especially needed for writing research papers. The researcher must use them in writing research papers. I.U.G. means the Islamic University of Gaza.

Limitation of the Study The study will be applied on and limited to the English majors (males and females in two colleges: Arts and Education) of the third level who enrolled at the academic year at I.U.G. The study is concerned with the main difficulties in technical skills and research skills. It is also concerned with the causes of these difficulties according to the point of view of writing teachers in the English Department at I.U.G. The study will be applied on and limited to the English majors (males and females in two colleges: Arts and Education) of the third level who enrolled at the academic year at I.U.G. The study is concerned with the main difficulties in technical skills and research skills. It is also concerned with the causes of these difficulties according to the point of view of writing teachers in the English Department at I.U.G.

Population of the Study The population of the study consisted of (156), who were enrolled to Advanced Writing in the first semester at (2001 – 2002). (138) English majors were enrolled to the sample of the study

Tools of the Study The researcher used five different tools to fulfill the aims of the study: list of skills, analysis card, open questionnaire for the teachers of writing, diagnostic test, and interview with teachers of writing.

Statistical Analysis - Percentages, means, relative means, and frequencies were used to determine the level of English majors achievement and the importance of each skill. - And Pearson correlation was used to count the validity of the test by internal consistency.

Research Methodology The researcher adopted the descriptive analytical approach. Descriptive research “ is designed to obtain pertinent and precise information concerning the current status of phenomena and, whenever possible, to draw valid general conclusions from facts discovered ” (Koul, 1999, p. 432). Analytical Research “ draws general conclusions from facts and basic evidence. [The researcher] must analyze information-record the facts, comment on them, and come to conclusions about meaning, causes, consequences, and relationships ” (Wright, 1995).

Procedure of the Study To fulfill the study, the researcher: 1- collected and reviewed the previous studies to avail from their: procedures, tools, results, and recommendations; 2- prepared the theoretical framework through searching in the literature reviews; 3- prepared the list of skills through the literature reviews and juries ’ opinions; 4- analyzed English majors researcher papers descriptively and quantitatively; 4- analyzed English majors researcher papers descriptively and quantitatively; 5- constructed the diagnostic test, 6- applied the test after I. U. G. gave her permission, 7- interviewed the teachers of writing in the English Department at I.U.G. to ask them about the causes of difficulties, 8- analyzed the collected data statistically, 9- and gave recommendations and suggestions.