Comparing and Contrasting Methods of Engaging Students in Psychological Research: A Qualitative Analysis of Course Reflections
Disciplines
Psychology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Kennesaw State University (KSU) prepares psychology majors for careers in research through coursework and opportunities for extracurricular engagement. One way coursework can be utilized to engage students in the research process is through Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs). CUREs provide an opportunity for students to take part in original research as a part of a course. Courses utilizing CUREs differ from Apprentice Model experiences, where one or a few students are taken under a professor’s wing and taught outside of the classroom. Psychology is often overlooked in CUREs as most attention is given to traditional sciences and technology disciplines, such as chemistry and engineering. Additional research is needed to examine the uses and benefits of CUREs in psychology, particularly in comparison to the Apprentice Model. This study aims to explore the benefits CUREs and research apprenticeships offer to psychology majors and what activities students perceive to do as a part of the course. A sample of 59 reflections completed by students enrolled in either a CURE or Apprentice Model course in psychology at KSU will be analyzed using NVivo. Qualitative coding will be used to examine the previous coursework students report to be useful while participating in research, the skills students felt they gained, and the value placed on the experience compared to past courses. Activities students reported taking part in for their research will be recorded and summarized. In each area described above, a comparison will be drawn between students who took part in a CURE and those who completed an Apprentice Model experience. Data is expected to reflect positively on the impact of research as an experience and course. Results will reflect both contrasting and affirming elements of CUREs and Apprentice Model experiences. Future implications of the research for KSU will also be reported.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Amy Buddie
Comparing and Contrasting Methods of Engaging Students in Psychological Research: A Qualitative Analysis of Course Reflections
Kennesaw State University (KSU) prepares psychology majors for careers in research through coursework and opportunities for extracurricular engagement. One way coursework can be utilized to engage students in the research process is through Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs). CUREs provide an opportunity for students to take part in original research as a part of a course. Courses utilizing CUREs differ from Apprentice Model experiences, where one or a few students are taken under a professor’s wing and taught outside of the classroom. Psychology is often overlooked in CUREs as most attention is given to traditional sciences and technology disciplines, such as chemistry and engineering. Additional research is needed to examine the uses and benefits of CUREs in psychology, particularly in comparison to the Apprentice Model. This study aims to explore the benefits CUREs and research apprenticeships offer to psychology majors and what activities students perceive to do as a part of the course. A sample of 59 reflections completed by students enrolled in either a CURE or Apprentice Model course in psychology at KSU will be analyzed using NVivo. Qualitative coding will be used to examine the previous coursework students report to be useful while participating in research, the skills students felt they gained, and the value placed on the experience compared to past courses. Activities students reported taking part in for their research will be recorded and summarized. In each area described above, a comparison will be drawn between students who took part in a CURE and those who completed an Apprentice Model experience. Data is expected to reflect positively on the impact of research as an experience and course. Results will reflect both contrasting and affirming elements of CUREs and Apprentice Model experiences. Future implications of the research for KSU will also be reported.