Teaching Research Methods to Undergraduate Psychology Students Using an Active Cooperative Learning Approach

Abstract

Many undergraduate degree programs require students to develop a basic understanding of research methodology. Unfortunately, methods courses are typically unpopular with students because the course material is complex and technical in nature. Consequently, some instructors supplement traditional lecture-text classes with active learning experiences such as a student-developed research project. This paper describes a research methods course in the social sciences (psychology) based solely on multiple student-developed research projects. The paper highlights the strengths and weaknesses of this non-traditional approach to teaching research methods. The completion of an introductory course in research methods is a critical step for undergraduate students who will one day need to conduct their own original research. These courses are equally important for students who are not planning to conduct research in the future, because graduates still need to make informed decisions regarding research findings as part of their professional development (Zablotsky, 2001).

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