The preregistration of research plans and hypotheses may prevent publication bias and questionable research practices. We incorporated a modified version of the preregistration process into an undergraduate capstone research course. Students completed a standard preregistration form during the planning stages of their research projects as well as surveys about their knowledge of preregistration. Based on survey results, our senior-level psychology students lacked knowledge of importance of the preregistration movement in the sciences but could anticipate some of its benefits. Our review of the completed preregistration assignment suggested that students struggle with data analysis decision-making but generally perceive preregistration as a helpful planning tool. We discuss the value of a preregistration assignment for generating discussions of research practice and ethics.
We examined the effects of professor reputation versus first impressions on student evaluations of instruction. Students in 19 Psychology courses completed course evaluation surveys either before meeting the instructor or 2 weeks into the semester. Both groups then completed the course evaluation again at the end of the semester. Unlike evaluations completed prior to meeting the professor, students' ratings 2 weeks into the semester did not differ from end-of-semester evaluations. Therefore, students considered first impressions more important than professor reputation as determinants of their end-of-the semester evaluations. Results suggest that students form lasting impressions within the first 2 weeks of classes.
Keywords Professor reputation · First impressions · Student evaluations · Course evaluationsAssessment is becoming increasingly more influential in the decision making process in higher education. One form of assessment, student evaluations of instruction, often weighs heavily regarding faculty members' annual raises, and in promotion and tenure decisions. Because of this, it is important to determine which factors contribute to students' evaluations. There has been extensive research on these factors, as manifested
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