This paper describes a graduate curriculum in research and philosophy of science that was developed over a number of years at the California State University-Fullerton Counseling Program. The three objectives of the curriculum are presented, i.e., to provide a forum for discussion of issues generic to psychology; to provide a framework for…

Describes a course (with a framework loosely based on the environmental impact statement) in which students learn research methods as they cooperate in interdisciplinary field research projects. Includes a rationale for the course, a generalized outline of field experiences, and examples of student projects (both on-campus briefings and field site…

Describes a second year, high school biology course in which students learn how to do independent investigations. Focuses on the research methodology used by the students (including Campbell and Stanley designs) and instructional strategies. (JN)

A University of Arizona undergraduate pharmacy course designed to develop student skills in evaluation of research has five parts: introduction to the scientific method; statistical techniques/data analysis review; research design; fundamentals of clinical studies; and practical applications. Prerequisites include biostatistics and drug…

A required one-credit discussion course in research ethics for graduate students in biology is described. The course has four parts: (1) overview of major issues; (2) practical issues in scholarly work; (3) ownership of research results; and (4) graduate student training and personal decisions. A list of weekly topics and related readings is also…

To provide a meaningful research experience for undergraduate methods students, students participated in an ongoing research project. The progress of the project to encourage the adoption of a curriculum in which theory building informs methods, and in which actual field experience is provided, is described. (MLW)

Undergraduate students increase their understanding of human geography and become aware of their community's health ecology by examining the degree and geographical pattern of dog-associated health hazards in Athens, Georgia, and by studying the behavioral patterns and attitudes of Athens's residents that might be causally related to these health…

The graduate program in French civilization at the Pennsylvania State University includes an experimental course in introductory teaching theory and methods, complemented by a one-credit course in research methods and bibliography. The methods course presents interdisciplinary techniques of cultural analysis and cultural history. An extensive…

To investigate the extent to which graduate level education students found a required educational research course helpful, a questionnaire elicited occupation information about the student and about when the course was taken, the degree pursued, and degree attained. Additionally, the questionnaire asked the extent to which the course was…

Law schools should require excellence of all students, and mastery learning is a technique useful for structuring entire curricula or course segments to achieve high standards. A Rutgers course in contracts, torts, and legal research and writing developed to apply mastery learning strategies has proven successful. (MSE)

The major goals of this two-semester seminar are to help first-year graduate students understand the links among perspective, theory, assumptions, problem formulation, methods, and findings in psychological research and to optimize their transition into the PhD program. The seminar is described and evaluated and suggestions for change are made.…

Describes a graduate research methods course in which students were taught electronic communications skills. Lists three course requirements involving electronic mail, subscriptions to electronic journals, and participation in electronic academic lists. Discusses six problems that emerged and the student evaluations. (CFR)

Presents responses from two historians in Asia to questions about solving present problems and anticipating new directions for history education through computers. Discusses what to do about students with insufficient history backgrounds in survey courses and training students to do historical research with computers. (CFR)

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…

Maintains that undergraduate sociology students often are intimidated by course requirements in statistics and research methods. Describes course content and instructional strategies used to enhance student understanding and motivation. Reports that student evaluations of the course were uniformly positive. (CFR)