Going Abstract: Teaching Research Concepts in Introductory Psychology

• Main Author: Zucker, Evan L
• Format: Paper
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.1992
• Subjects: College Instruction; College Students; Counselor Training; Higher Education; Introductory Courses; Psychology; Research Methodology; Teaching Methods

Examination of 21 recently published introductory psychology textbooks indicated that different topics were used in the examples illustrating experimental and correlational approaches to research. There are two problems inherent in this organization and presentation. First, students are exposed to research concepts before having any familiarity with the content areas of psychology and secondly, illustrations of the two basic research strategies are applied to different areas of psychology. It seems that application of different research strategies to the same topic would facilitate contrasts between the approaches. This introductory psychology course was organized into seven parts and research methods, concepts, and terms were presented during the class immediately following observational learning. The observational learning of aggression was selected as the topic to illustrate the different approaches to psychological research. Copies of two abstracts from published papers dealing with observational learning were distributed, one abstract representing an experimental approach and the other a correlational approach. In an evaluation of the class at the end of the semester, 13 students from a total of 30 who completed the evaluation responded "yes" to the question, "Do you think having the two abstracts about observational learning of aggression helped you to understand research terms and methods?" Although it is impossible to know if the affirmative responses reflected real understanding, introducing research concepts in this manner appears to be a way to which the students are receptive. (ABL)