Learning to Read Empirical Articles

Abstract

Through a series of low-stakes assignments, students are required to read, assess, and properly cite four peer-reviewed empirical research articles. The articles reflect the four core methodologies that we devote the most time to in class (surveys, fieldwork, secondary data, and content analysis). By reading and answering questions, student’s knowledge of...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Research Methods

Class Level(s):

College 200

Class Size(s):

Medium

Usage Notes

I use this series of assignments in a semester-long undergraduate research methods course that introduces students to common methods employed by social scientists. I set the stage for these assignments through a one-day lecture/discussion period that occurs after I have covered the section of the course on research design, but before beginning discussion...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. For students to learn the format of peer-reviewed empirical research articles and how to locate the basic information they need in order to understand and begin to critically evaluate articles.
2. To reinforce research design core concepts (such as independent & dependent variables, conceptualization, operationalization, sample size, sampling strategies, and deductive & inductive approaches), reinforce methodology specific terms (such as partici
3. For students to learn how to find the information they need and correctly construct a bibliographic reference using ASA formatting style.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Students answer a series of questions that pertain to different sections of the article.
2. Students answer a series of questions that pertain to different sections of the article.
3. For students to learn how to find the information they need and correctly construct a bibliographic reference using ASA formatting style.