Methods of Study

Citation: Huitt, W. (1997). Methods of study. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved [date] from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/cognition/sq4r.html

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There are a variety of study methods that have been developed based on research in cognitive psychology, that provide guidance on how to get the most from a textbook or distance/online course. One of the most popular is SQ3R or one of its derivatives.

SQ3R

  1. Survey -- Read chapter outlines, chapter headings, recaps, objectives, etc.
  2. Question -- Formulate questions you believe will be addressed in reading
  3. Read -- Read material quickly, carefully, actively; try to answer previously formulated questions
  4. Recite -- Explain aloud to yourself or another person what you have read; use study guide; answer questions at end of chapter
  5. Review -- Go back over what you have learned; use study guide; reread recaps, reviews, or end of chapter summaries

Based on the research on how important elaboration is to the learning process, a 4th R was added: reflection, 'riting or recording.

SQ4R

  1. Survey -- Read chapter outlines, chapter headings, recaps, objectives, etc.
  2. Question -- Formulate questions you believe will be addressed in reading
  3. Read -- Read material quickly, carefully, actively; try to answer previously formulated questions
  4. Reflect -- Write in journal, make notes, or simply wonder about material (some authors use wRite as the "new" R; others use Record)
  5. Recite -- Explain aloud to yourself or another person what you have read; use study guide; answer questions at end of chapter
  6. Review -- Go back over what you have learned; use study guide; reread recaps, reviews, or end of chapter summaries

Slavin changed the name of the first step from (S)urvey to (P)review, but otherwise the model is essentially the same.

PQ4R

  1. Preview (essentially the same as survey)
  2. Question
  3. Read
  4. Reflect
  5. Recite
  6. Review

To the extent that students learn a study method and begin to monitor their own learning, they are developing metacognitive skills and habits. Notice that the steps can be related to different stages in the information processing theory of learning.

A study method that is widely used in elementary schools is KWL or KWHL:

KWL

  1. Know -- What do you know about the learning objective or topic?
  2. What -- What do you need or want to learn?
  3. Learn -- What will you need to do to learn the material or what have you learned?

KWHL

  1. Know -- What do you know about the learning objective or topic?
  2. What -- What do you need or want to learn?
  3. How -- How will you go about getting the information or learning the skill; what do you need to do to achieve the learning goal?
  4. Learn -- What have you learned? Did you learn the material to the required standard?

 

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