Engaging Students in a Research Methods Writing Lab Online

Abstract

Courses including lab- or experiential-based learning may shy away from an online lab format. Using an empirically driven approach, an online research methods in psychology lab section was developed and compared to a face-to-face lab section. Results indicated that there were no differences in student knowledge regarding the American Psychological Association style and in the quality of the term papers (as evaluated by independent coders). Although students did not know whether they would be in a face-to-face or online lab when they enrolled, at the end of the semester, students expressed a preference for the style of lab in which they were enrolled. Recommendations for presenting labs or experiential learning content in an online format are discussed.

Hands-on Education Without the Hands-On? An Approach to Online Delivery of a Senior Lab Course in Chemical Engineering While Maintaining Key Learning Outcomes

“…Given the hands-on experiential components of labs, online learning has traditionally been limited to theoretical, lecture-based courses [1,2]. Lab courses, however, play a crucial role in engineering curricula as some of the key opportunities to facilitate the development of analytical skills and higher-order transferrable skills including critical-thinking, problem-solving and troubleshooting, teamwork, and technical communication [3,4].…”

How psychologists can contribute to educational research in multiple modalities.

“…Similar to Sanchez (2019) study, many pedagogies developed in-person could be adjusted and used in other modalities such as in asynchronous online, synchronous remote, or blended courses, with equivalency theory in mind (Simonson, 1999). For example, Rice et al (2021) studied an online research methods laboratory course in psychology and described ways that the course used similar pedagogy to its face-to-face counterpart. Some examples included having teaching assistants available for office hours face-to-face or through video chat, and instructors providing extensive written feedback on students’ paper drafts for both the face-to-face and online sections of the course.…”

Double Trouble: Student perspectives on the transition from online prescribed labs, to in-person and open-ended problem-based labs

“…In-person labs provide an opportunity for students to learn in a hands-on environment alongside peers and an instructor [6], and in the process develop a sense of responsibility stemming from directly handling equipment and observing procedures and their outcomes [7,8]. Student collaboration on the different elements of laboratory activities also promotes an appreciation for the content and, if the course is designed well, fosters the development of metacognitive awareness and the ability to deliberately assemble models of the system under study -2 of 7 - [8,9].…”