Journal writing: A tool for knowledge retention in a corporate setting

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not journal writing had any effect on the retention and practical application of skills and knowledge. Subjects were divided into four treatments, two of which were randomly chosen and asked to journal for three weeks following the class. Subjects were 56 Wellmark employee's from the Des Moines area offices. Subjects included salaried and hourly staff. Data were collected four ways: Likert-scale items on the pre-test, journals, and both Likert-scale and open-ended items on the posttest. Data were compared using a paired T-test to determine if there was any significant difference between those who used journals and those who did not.

This study is important because it will help to determine the feasibility of journal writing as a training tool, more specifically, as a knowledge retention tool. The need for low cost and effective means of facilitating learning after the class is over is becoming more critical in the training field. On a more personal level, this study has given me the experience of developing and facilitating a training course. I have also gained more confidence in the area of evaluations.