Abstract




Teaching Research Methods to Undergraduate Psychology Students Using an Active Cooperative Learning Approach

Christopher Ball
College of William & Mary
(ctball@wm.edu)

Lynn Pelco
College of William & Mary
(lepelc@wm.edu)


Abstract:
Many undergraduate degree programs require students to develop a basic understanding of research methodology. Unfortunately, methods courses are typically unpopular with students because the course material is complex and technical in nature. Consequently, some instructors supplement traditional lecture-text classes with active learning experiences such as a student-developed research project. This paper describes a research methods course in the social sciences (psychology) based solely on multiple student-developed research projects. The paper highlights the strengths and weaknesses of this non-traditional approach to teaching research methods.






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