MEMORANDUM

To: Jessica Jorgenson

From: Brittany Nordick
Subject: Letter of Intent
Date: November 25, 2014

Project Summary
The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce the study I designed to evaluate PC
tablets and traditional paper-based reading task effectiveness for long duration reading tasks.
The studys focus is to determine whether e-books or paper based reading is best in terms of
memory recall during long duration reading tasks, for example a novel. For the purpose of this
study effectiveness is measured for each vice by participants degree of memory recall.
Examination of participants memory recall after reading a selected novel, instructed to be read
on paper or PC tablet, will help determine whether PC tablets are as effective as paper-based
vices with long duration reading tasks. Previous research has provided some background on
technologys impact on education; however, the study I propose will expand our knowledge.
The vast majority of previous research has compared reading tasks on a standard
computer to paper-based, but not e-books. Electronics and computers have become a part of
everyday life, and large sums of money are exchanged for these products. It is critical to
determine whether e-books provide the same quality of reading as paper-based books. PC tablets
are being used for educational purposes and it is paramount to better understand how memory
recall is affected. Additionally, much of educational reading consists of long duration tasks and
previous research lacks answers to the modern reading vices effectiveness in consumer reading
comprehension.
It is critical to understand whether there is a difference between paper-based books and ebooks in order to provide educators and consumers the knowledge to purchase the vice that best
suit their needs. After reviewing my options, I decided that Dr. Gordon was best fit to be the
recipient of my research grant because of his area of expertise, visual cognitive psychology.
After completing this project I hope to have fulfilled three goals.
Objectives

Better understand how to obtain funding for research interests

Learn how to write professionally and organize ideas
Strengthen my writing skills

While doing this research proposal I have several goals for myself. Goal number one:
understand how to obtain funding. I am interested in research and I would like to take away from
this project a sense of confidence in my ability to find funding opportunities and know the
appropriate steps to making contact and communicating. My interview with Dr. Archbold helped
me understand how research is often funded: local grants and university grants. She emphasized
that federal grants are not a good fit for her research because it is often restricting of what can be

studied. Goal number two: learn to write professionally and organize ideas. This goal is
important to me for this project because I have not had experience writing in this style before. I
believe that I will be better able to write professional documents after this unit. It is also
important for me to learn research grants organization to be better prepared for any future
research interests that require funding. Goal number three: strengthen writing skills. Learning
how to design documents and doing any writing task will improve general writing skills. The
skills necessary to develop a unique research grant will help develop general writing skills but
also skills necessary for appealing to potential research funders. My plan to accomplish these
objectives include: time management, professional writing review, and proofing/editing.
Methods
To learn more about writing research grants I interviewed Dr. Archbold, from the
Criminal Justice Department at North Dakota State University, on
November 20, 2014. Based on this interview I learned several important things regarding
research grants. In order to write the best research proposal possible, it is critical to pace my
project according to the due dates. The timeline below illustrates when I will be working on
different aspects of my project. Maintaining a professional writing style throughout the proposal
and organizing the material in a reader friendly manner is critical to a successful research
proposal. I will shape my research proposal in a professional and organized fashion by reviewing
other professional writing, and proofing and editing my project several times. To learn from the
process I will take note of the progress in my writing ability after each revision. By proofing and
editing I am also strengthening my general writing skills.
I am confident that I will be able to complete this assignment in a timely manner. I have
already begun working on several parts of the project and the informational interview with Dr.
Archbold on research grants provided useful hints for writing my research proposal. The timeline
below may reassure you that I have planned and am ready to construct a professional research
proposal.
Timeline
The timeline below is a visual representation of when I will be working on different part
of my research proposal. By completing each part at a different designated time I will be better
able to successfully accomplish the assignments on time.

Grant Project Timeline

November
December
20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th 30th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th
Interview Dr. Archbold
Conference
Letter of Intent
Interview Memo

Due Nov. 25
Due Dec. 2

Draft Research Proposal

Final Research Proposal

Due Dec. 11

Resources
The resources listed below are for my literature review section of my research proposal.
The literature review section is to provide the reader with background information on research
that has already been conducted but is relevant to the study being proposed. For my study, the
literature review section will highlight that the majority of research on reading comprehension
has focused on medians other than tablet PCs compared to paper-back, and there is a difference
in the type of reading tasks studied. This provides the reader some information on research done
that is leading up to the current studies question.
Clariana, R. & Wallace P. (2002). Paper-based versus computer assessment: key factors
associated with the test mode effect. British Journal of Education Technology, 33, 593602.
Czaja, S. J., Charness, N., Fisk, A. D., Hertzog, C., Nair, S. N., Rogers, W. A., & Sharit, J.
(2006). Factors predicting the use of technology: Findings from the center for research
and education on aging and technology enhancement (CREATE). Psychology and Aging,
21, 333-352.
Emerson, L. & Mackay, B. (2011). A comparison between paper-based and online learning in
higher education. British Journal of Education Technology, 42, 727-735.
Higgins, J., Russell, M., & Hoffmann, T. (2005). Examining the effect of computer-based
passage presentation on reading test performance. Journal of Technology, Learning, and
Assessment, 3(4), 1-36.
McConnell, D. (2005). Examining the dynamics of networked e-learning groups and
communities. Studies in Higher Education, 30, 25-42.
Morris, M. R., Brush, A. B., & Meyers, B. R. (2007). Reading revisited: Evaluating the usability
of digital display surfaces for active reading tasks. Horizontal Interactive HumanComputer Systems, 79-86.
Rashid, S. & Rigas D. (2006). E-learning & note-taking: A comparative study. International
Conference on Education and Educational Technology, 5, 160-164.

Evaluation Criteria
Content

Clear introduction- introducing the purpose, scope, and methods of the project.
Literature review- quality scholarly sources connected to the proposed research.
Includes a statement of the problem and how the study will help provide new knowledge.
Clear methods section- description of how to execute the study that includes the studys
sample and tools for measurement.
Fits all research proposal generic slots (literature review, objectives, methods,
qualifications, budget, benefits/discussion).
/100 Points

Visual Choice

Creates professional document; 1 margins, pages numbered after 1st, clear section
headings.
Organization and logical progression of ideas throughout the research proposal.
Design reflects understanding of research proposals.
/25 Points

Grammar/Mechanics

Correct use of APA citation style.

Professional language; document sounds clear and professional.
Careful proofing/editing.
/25 Points