Students in introductory college science courses often have a simplified understanding of the scientific method. To introduce students to the complexity of the scientific process and the value of empirical observations, I implemented a semester-long assignment that required introductory-level college science students to build and calibrate weather…

"Foundations for Critical Thinking" explores the landscape of critical-thinking skill development and pedagogy through foundational chapters and institutional case studies involving a range of students in diverse settings. By establishing a link between active learning and improved critical thinking, this resource encourages all higher…

This article discusses the use of a conference format in teaching a required English composition course. The focus of the course is student research and presentation; thus, simulating a conference was a natural fit for the course's overall goals. Students worked in one of four committees: the Call for Proposals Committee, the Proposal Evaluation…

This inquiry investigates action research as a tool to facilitate reflective practice in undergraduate preservice teachers. Typically utilized in graduate programs, action research is a viable tool for increasing preservice teachers' systematic classroom-based inquiry. This process is examined through a theoretical framework of narrative inquiry,…

This document addresses the various sources of information that the political scientist can rely on and make use of via electronic mail. What network sources are available, where they can be found, what to do to get them, how to use them, and what sources to make use of in order to obtain maximum information are discussed. The article examines the…

A technique used in an undergraduate psychology class to reduce student incentives to fake data as they undertook a research project concerning marriage relationships is described. An evaluation of the technique suggested that it works. (RM)

Findings and recommendations presented in this study of the role and nature of doctoral disserations are based on deliberations of a task force of graduate school deans and 48 reports submitted by selected universities. Findings are offered in the areas of: distinguishing characteristics of dissertation research and dissertations; originality,…

Reviews the recent growth of interest in qualitative geography. Discusses whether or not qualitative research can be accepted on the same scholarly level as quantitative research. Contends that qualitative methodology has much to offer geography and geography instruction. (CFR)

Although self-regulated learning is considered as a characteristic of individual students, the question may be raised as to whether a community of learners with its emphasis on inquiry learning in teams of students provides an appropriate environment to acquire and develop active and dynamic self-regulation strategies. Two cases of communities of…

Reports a series of experiments in teaching data analysis in an interactive graphics environment (IGE). Explains that students can graph distributions and relationships as they obtain statistical results. Describes microcomputer programs for IGE data analysis. Concludes that software capabilities are excellent for small data sets but too slow for…

With resource-based learning projects, college students at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science develop a better sense of the information resources available, the nature of scientific literature, and the characteristics of scientific writing. Faculty motivations, benefits, and disappointments with this approach are addressed.…

A freshman humanities course in reading and research was used by three English instructors to investigate the appropriateness of having students use an online database as a research tool. The results show that the acquisition of basic online database search skills is not qualitatively different from that of more traditional research skills.…

Urges use of hypermedia or integration of text, graphics, animation, video, and sound in teaching social studies. Compares the cost of hypermedia programs with traditional teaching methods. Describes various programs on the market, their costs, advantages, and areas covered. Emphasizes benefits to students in research, participation, and…

A research experience was made available to an undergraduate Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) student through collaboration with a Masters-level Nutrition graduate student. Both students were under the supervision of a graduate FSHN faculty member. Positive, self-identified aspects for the students included learning how to work…

A geography workbook developed to teach upper division college-level geography students and beginning graduate students how to use a college library is described. Research on the use of the workbook indicates that directed instruction is beneficial to student learning of library resources. (RM)