Reading the Research Helping Students Learn How to

Reading the Research: Helping Students Learn How to Read Empirical Research Reports Connie K. Varnhagen And Nancy Digdon

Objectives • Help students learn how to read reports of empirical research • Help students learn about the different components of reports of empirical research • Provide students with exposure to empirical research

Components • Brief introduction to the genre of the report of empirical research • Outline critical thinking questions • Summary of a report of empirical research

Critical Thinking Questions • Factual questions º What were the research questions? º What was the research design? • Critical Thinking Questions º Is this research important? º Is the design appropriate for the research questions?

Formative Evaluation • Focus group at the U of A: º Students rated themselves as having “good” computer skills (WP, E-mail, WWW, games) º Students were somewhat positive, interested, and felt the module would benefit their learning º Modified navigation and discussion group

Grant Mac. Ewan Community College • Integrated into the class • Instructor-developed summary • Student attitude, learning assessed

Skills and Access • Students rated themselves as “somewhat comfortable” working on computers • Students rated themselves as having a “fair” computer skills (WP, E-mail, WWW) • 63% had a computer at home • 26% had home access to the Internet

Attitude Survey • Students had a “somewhat positive” impression of the module. • Students found the module º º “Interesting” “Enjoyable” “Worthwhile” “Enhanced” comprehension

Attitudes Moderated by Skill • Students who were more comfortable with computers had a more positive overall impression of the module. • Students who were less comfortable with computers found the module more enjoyable.

Learning • No overall effect:

intro. psych • Pilot project will be described later • Students will read two articles • Discussion will be asynchronous • Footprints will be examined and related to exam scores