THE NATURE OF INVOLVEMENT IN ACADEMIC DISCOURSE TASKS

In 2 studies, the nature of the construct of involvement in discourse was explored. The studies focused on academic discourse in typical rea ding and writing tasks. In the 1st study, interviews with undergraduat es about involving and uninvolving tasks were used as the basis for co nstructing items for questionnaires. Responses to these items were sub mitted to multidimensional scaling. Results indicated a 2-dimensional solution, with the dimensions of involvement being understanding and c oncentration. In Study 2, students were asked to report on their level s of involvement during a course writing assignment; significant diffe rences were found in level of involvement and associated moods across phases of writing. Together, the studies suggest that discourse involv ement is a state of engagement in a task, influenced by cognitive and motivational/affective factors.