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Alpha Is Not the False Alarm Rate: An Activity to Dispel a Common Statistical Misconception
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Thompson, W. Burt – Teaching of Psychology, 2019
When a psychologist announces a new research finding, it is often based on a rejected null hypothesis. However, if that hypothesis is true, the claim is a false alarm. Many students mistakenly believe that the probability of committing a false alarm equals alpha, the criterion for statistical significance, which is typically set at 5%. Instructors…
Descriptors: Statistical Analysis, Hypothesis Testing, Misconceptions, Data Interpretation
Comparing Review Strategies in the Classroom: Self-Testing Yields More Favorable Student Outcomes Relative to Question Generation
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Lloyd, E. Paige; Walker, Ryan J.; Metz, Molly A.; Diekman, Amanda B. – Teaching of Psychology, 2018
Although previous research has demonstrated that guided testing (i.e., self-testing) and question generation effectively increase retention compared to control methods, no work has simultaneously implemented both strategies in the classroom. In a semester-long study designed to maximize experimental control in a naturalistic setting, we adapted…
Descriptors: Review (Reexamination), Testing, Questioning Techniques, Comparative Analysis
A Naturalistic Investigation of Media Multitasking While Studying and the Effects on Exam Performance
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Patterson, Michael C. – Teaching of Psychology, 2017
The present study investigated the use of multiple digital media technologies, including social networking platforms, by students while preparing for an examination (media multitasking) and the subsequent effects on exam performance. The level of media multitasking (number of simultaneous media technologies) and duration of study were used as…
Descriptors: Testing, Performance, Study Habits, Study Skills
What Is a Psychological Misconception? Moving toward an Empirical Answer
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Bensley, D. Alan; Lilienfeld, Scott O. – Teaching of Psychology, 2015
Studies of psychological misconceptions have often used tests with methodological shortcomings, unknown psychometric properties, and ad hoc methods for identifying misconceptions, creating problems for estimating frequencies of specific misconceptions. To address these problems, we developed a new test, the Test of Psychological Knowledge and…
Descriptors: Misconceptions, Psychological Patterns, Psychometrics, Attitude Measures
Students' Reactions to Course Policy Decisions
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Bailey, Sarah F.; Jenkins, Jade S.; Barber, Larissa K. – Teaching of Psychology, 2016
Classroom management involves managing students' requests for course policy changes. Instructors can adhere to the course policies or convey flexibility through making an exception for the student. The current study empirically examines students' emotional reactions (hostility, guilt, and surprise) and fairness perceptions to course policy…
Descriptors: Classroom Techniques, Educational Policy, Course Content, Policy Formation
Training Scientific Thinking Skills: Evidence from an MCAT[superscript 2015]-Aligned Classroom Module
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Stevens, Courtney; Witkow, Melissa R. – Teaching of Psychology, 2014
The present study reports on the development and evaluation of a classroom module to train scientific thinking skills. The module was implemented in two of four parallel sections of introductory psychology. To assess learning, a passage-based question set from the medical college admissions test (MCAT[superscript 2015]) preview guide was included…
Descriptors: Thinking Skills, Learning Modules, Science Education, Teaching Methods