Students often approach research assignments with no real idea of how to proceed, even after having been taught the basic library/information skills and strategies. This book gives students the skills and conceptual framework to help them become successful, independent problem-solvers. The publication defines the four basic steps in tackling a…

A college-level applied sociology course in which students use sociological theory or research methodology to solve social problems is described. Guidelines for determining appropriate projects are: (1) the student must feel there is a substantial need for the project; (2) the project must be approachable through recognized sociological…

The "informal process" for writing reports, which incorporates the mechanics of textbook theory but emphasizes the composition process, may be more successful for teaching fifth graders how to write reports than the traditional approach. This process recommends a number of nontraditional teaching methods. Student choice of topic should…

During the summer of 1968 a special summer program in sociolinguistics ("Language, Society, and the Child") was held at the University of California, Berkeley. This program grew out of the research on "children's language acquisition in a variety of cultures" which has been underway at that institution for four years. Originally it was planned to…

This study utilized qualitative research methods (observations, interviews, and analysis of written documents) to investigate the research processes of ten gifted ninth grade students who participated in independent research projects. Research stages dealing with exploring and forming a focus presented the most difficulty for the students. The…

Described are the Undergraduate Research Participation and Student-Originated Studies programs supported by the National Science Foundation. These summer programs offer undergraduate students firsthand research experiences in science and engineering. Students gain a better appreciation of the way science works and experiences in research…

This year-long research project encourages student involvement, promotes a sense of mastery, involves the school community, and attempts to provide an incentive for senior Montessori students to continue learning. The curriculum describes the process of choosing a topic, researching, writing, editing, production of the final product, and the oral…

Describes the use of a modified version of the I-Search writing process for a high school freshman English research paper. Topics include collaboration between the classroom teacher and the teacher librarian, student journals, research strategies, problem solving, recognizing bias and opinions in sources, student assessments, and teacher…

A consultant can help enhance the quality of dental faculty and student research by offering statistics courses, helping with project conceptualization, obtaining funding, collaborating during an investigation, providing data analysis, and preparing grant reports and manuscripts. An American Association of Dental Schools publications mentoring…

Presents an interview with Phil Nyden, a professor at Loyola University (Illinois). Describes his qualitative methods course. Includes his suggestion of a group project rather than individual research projects enabling students to focus on methodology rather than substantive issues. Lists course objectives: learning qualitative methods, applied…

Contends that the division between the science and humanities inhibit the use of qualitative research in Australian college-level geography instruction. Argues that qualitative methods might be more acceptable in cultural and historical geography. Suggests that philosophy courses or foundations courses in the humanities and social sciences might…

Describes a classroom-based research project that focused on issues of cultural pluralism. Students interviewed foreign students living with U.S. host families as well as the families. They also examined student handbooks and orientation materials. Discusses the implementation and outcome of the project. (MJP)

Describes a research project that takes a problem-solving approach to teaching about social stratification. Students identify a local issue related to stratification (homeless, welfare reform, etc.). They break into small groups and design a research plan, conduct a literature search, perform the fieldwork, and arrive at a synthesis. (MJP)

Describes a six-week project culminating in a student-designed exit survey for graduating seniors. Exit surveys assess a department's strengths and weaknesses in curricula, instruction, and advising. Discusses the students' design and implementation of the survey. Students felt that the project enhanced their critical thinking and research skills.…

This guide describes activities, methods, and materials which can be used in conducting a beginning-level social-science research project. Designed for secondary and college students as a laboratory component of a social studies or social science course, it provides ideas for firsthand experience in the methods used by social scientists for their…