In this study, the Research Methods Sequence (RMS) courses in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at California Baptist University were evaluated. There were two central aims in the study. First, the effectiveness of the RMS courses in developing students' research skills and perceptions of the research process were assessed. Second, the…

This paper investigates the determinants of student attendance of economics classes. Course-specific and individual-specific factors are shown to have significant impacts on class attendance. It was found that female students and overseas students skip classes less often. Surprisingly, students involved in extra-curricular activities attend…

Investigates the influence of two types of basic speech courses on behavior change. (MH)

Contends that the measure of a student's background knowledge and interest in an area of study significantly affect student ratings of instructors and courses. (MH)

Discussed are self-modification projects in college psychology courses. Findings indicate that, although students respond favorably to projects involving self-control, they tend to report their actions incorrectly when grades are involved. (Author/DB)

The study found that influential tactics employed by instructors during students' course evaluation (praise, and praise combined with food) had a significant effect on the ratings of the Illinois Course Evaluation Questionnaire, raising them, although the experimental and control groups agreed on relative profiles of instructors' strong and weak…

A long-term behavioral evaluation of an advanced undergraduate psychology course seeks definition and analysis of relevant variables affecting student performance, and the development of feasible individualized methods for efficiently and reliably producing optimal student performance in a manner that is preferred by both students and teacher.…

The effects of feedback letters sent to students thanking them for their course ratings were examined in two experiments. In the first study, students who initially rated the course highly were not affected by the feedback letters. However, after being exposed to poor instructional materials (an inadequately prepared study guide), students who…

Described is an introductory social psychology course which incorporates motivation arousing elements. Findings indicate that the motivation oriented course was perceived by students as equal or superior to large introductory information oriented courses. (Author/DB)

Assesses students' concepts of aging at the beginning, middle, and end of a psychology of aging course. Results show students' knowledge reflected stereotypes in the beginning, but during the course, new concepts appeared. Claims instructors can benefit from using this technique to plan and assess success of course goals. (Author/NL)

Reports two studies carried out in the 1970s and 1980s that examined whether intellectual mastery of the content in a psychology of women course facilitated personal change. Compared students' pretest-posttest scores on gender self-concept, attitudes, and assertiveness. Data indicate positive results, and scores did not change between groups. (NL)

A project to expand the participation of faculty from predominantly black colleges and universities in educational research and development is described. During three 4-week summer residential workshops, three courses were offered: Models and Methods of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Computer Utilization in Social and Behavioral Sciences, and a…