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APPENDIX

A

A Guide for Completing a

Self-Management Study

by

Amy Gimino

You have been asked throughout this book to reflect on your aca-

demic behavior and determine what action you need to take to

become a more successful learner. The four-step self-management

process was introduced in chapter 1 to help address academic prob-

lems. The process includes self-observation and evaluation, goal set-

ting and strategic planning, strategy implementation and monitoring,

and strategic-outcome monitoring. The first Follow-up Activities in

chapters 5 through 11 provide a series of questions for each of the

steps to guide you in your self-study.

The purpose of this appendix is to provide tools and assistance to

help you either (a) complete a follow-up study focused on the con-

tent in one of the chapters you have read or (b) design a study in an

area of interest or concern. You will need to answer a series of ques-

tions to complete the four steps in the self-management process. The

information under the next four headings will help you answer these

questions so you will be able to reduce or eliminate a problem to

improve your academic performance. You can refer to Appendix B at

any time to view examples of self-management studies that were com-

pleted by students in a similar class over a 2- to 3-week period.

SELF-OBSERVATION AND EVALUATION

The first step of a self-management study requires you to observe and

evaluate your behavior to select an academic problem you want to

solve. An academic problem is defined as any behavior, belief, or per-

ception that has a detrimental impact on your academic performance

and is preventing you from attaining your academic potential or goals.

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