Uses an experience from a senior-level research design class to disprove textbook suggestions that the illusory movement of the autokinetic effect is susceptible to suggestion. Cautions instructors not to use these misleading textbook accounts simply because they are a "grabber." (Author/GEA)

An introductory educational research course should be comprehensive so as to meet the needs of many students and be a self-contained unit. This course outline follows the sequence of activities involved in an actual research study. Some course topics are debatable because evaluation, research, and statistics overlap considerably. (CP)

Intended for teachers of public relations courses, this document describes the teaching of information-seeking behavior in an upper-level public relations techniques course. The paper discusses objectives, course concepts, course procedures, resources used, and the role of the instructors. It then describes secondary research projects, including a…

Argues that fieldwork develops student understanding of various concerns in social and cultural geography. Recommends using a new approach that focuses on the role of fieldwork in the research process and illustrates this approach by describing an account of a residential field class to Los Angeles (California) and Las Vegas (Nevada). (CMK)

Of 50 students taking a graduate course in multiple regression analysis at a particular university, they tended to use multiple regression in their dissertations. (Author/JKS)

This is a critique of a study investigating the reliability and validity of objective measures of students' reactions to courses. (MK)

Maintains that undergraduate psychology curricula almost always include one or more required experimental courses. Describes the use of the human subjects review process as a method of stimulating critical thinking. Discusses questions posed by the review process and classroom applications of the approach. (CFR)

The major goals of this two-semester seminar are to help first-year graduate students understand the links among perspective, theory, assumptions, problem formulation, methods, and findings in psychological research and to optimize their transition into the PhD program. The seminar is described and evaluated and suggestions for change are made.…

Describes a graduate research methods course in which students were taught electronic communications skills. Lists three course requirements involving electronic mail, subscriptions to electronic journals, and participation in electronic academic lists. Discusses six problems that emerged and the student evaluations. (CFR)

Asserts that the technique of "Stories at Work," or fictional-critical writing, is an emerging discipline within professional development and educational research. Discusses ways in which the technique can be used to enhance self-concept and improve teacher effectiveness. (CFR)

National Art Education Association (NAEA) presently is involved in initiating and supporting research efforts to advance visual arts education at all instructional levels and in all educational contexts. This document presents eight research areas with lists of general questions that need to be addressed, suggested research methodologies, and 10…

Various approaches to introductory courses in social work research in Canada are described. Objectives of the report are to promote informational exchange among instructors in schools of social work, to provide data on common practices employed in the instruction of introductory research, to encourage innovation and experimentation, and to aid in…

As part of a graduate research course, nine students formed a research team to carry out all aspects of a multimethod research study, including design, data collection and analysis, interpretation, and presentation of results in a final evaluation report to a local school corporation. Benefits and challenges were noted by both the instructor and…

Describes the application of the problem method, or case study approach, to teach undergraduate research methods. Maintains that the approach is particularly applicable because research design is a classic ill-defined task. Reports that students find the method challenging and interesting. (CFR)

Nine syllabi for courses on research and evaluation in higher education are reviewed. The syllabi fall into four areas: general research design and methods, program evaluation, naturalistic inquiry, and institutional self-study. A course on research design and methods at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, focuses on three basic modes…