Describes how Penn State solved the problem of finding out about students' habits, concerns, preferences, and thoughts on college services by utilizing a phone survey. With the creation of Penn State Pulse, educators had an ongoing way to survey students' opinions and to communicate results. The key factor to the project's success is the quick…

This case study involves the biochemical analysis of the components of commonly available energy drinks, which many students purchase at fairly high prices. Students research the ingredients in each product and their physiological role in the human body, and then attempt to match what they learn with the product manufacturers' marketing claims.…

Engaging students in a course in the Sociology of Religion can be a challenge, particularly when working with student populations in a homogeneous region of the country who have limited experience with religious diversity. We approached the course from a sociological/anthropological perspective, requiring each student to complete an in-depth…

This column is a collaborative effort by library media specialists and K-16 educators who write about the motivational strategies that have worked for them in teaching information literacy (IL) skills. Motivational strategies include ways to gain and sustain attention, increase relevance for learning IL skills, build confidence in students'…

Thirty-three third- and fourth-year university students reported their preferences for eight evaluative devices. The most preferred: a pool of options from which they could select two in addition to a final exam. Preparation for exams was considered a better learning opportunity than a research paper or similar assignment. (JT)

Recent research indicates that introductory psychology college students continue to be the primary source of subjects for psychological research. This extensive use of involuntary subjects in a required service subject pool raises numerous important questions for science and for educational and professional ethics. A general overview of research…

The process of getting one's research approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is detailed in this paper. The article discusses the typical information expected in an IRB proposal and it describes an IRB's role in evaluating a proposed research project, including ethical and scientific questions. The paper focuses on the advantages that…

As a substitute for the conventional term papers, this project was designed to help freshmen learn to pick and analyze a specific topic within a given subject field, to develop the ability to find printed source material and knowledgeable people in the subject, and to evaluate their source material objectively. (Author/SN)

Report of a study designed to assess the effectiveness of programmed instruction in nutrition education as a supplement to classroom instruction in an elementary nutrition class for college students. (LK)

Describes a class assignment that was used in a social psychology course in which students worked in groups of three and produced a 15-20 minute presentation about a prominent social psychologist. Evaluates the reactions of the students to the assignment. (CMK)

A student staff inquiry project in one university's department of health education assessed the motivation and satisfaction of student staff and peer educators. Students created interview tools, collected and analyzed data, and developed recommendations. Through this student-driven process, several themes emerged (the need for more department…

Offers observations from a high school English teacher and a college professor (and former high school teacher) on dilemmas of the term paper: to teach it or not in high school; the importance of research skills; the wish to prepare students well for college and for life; and high school students' comments regarding their term paper assignment.…

Extending inquiry-based learning to allow students to develop their own questions and design and perform their own experiments can greatly enhance education. Students gain an appreciation of how knowledge is acquired and insights into evaluating data. Although easily applied to laboratory courses, the technique is also applicable to lecture…

We developed a novel variation on classroom data collection by having students conduct a national research project. Students at 20 different colleges and universities measured "school spirit" at their institutions according to several operational criteria (school apparel wearing, car stickers, alumni donation rate, ratings by a major sports…

This paper describes a campus survey designed to enhance student learning while generating high-quality data for research and evaluation. Students enrolled in a research methods course pretest a draft interview schedule and interview randomly selected students; then, drawing on their interview experience, they write a paper that addresses…