Research as Pedagogy: Using Experimental Data Collection as a Course Learning Tool

ABSTRACT

Integrating research in the classroom experience is recognized as potentially important in enhancing student learning (Price 2001; Schmid 1992). This article asks if student integration as research subjects augments their learning about political science. A quasi-experimental project focused on media usage, construction, and influences on the political context of election competition finds that participation as research subjects fostered increased awareness among students of their own media usage, of media effects on politics and of politics in general. Findings also suggest that this process of learning happens within the context of students' pre-existing ideological frameworks despite experimental controls over ideological exposure.

KEYWORDS:

• Elections
• media effects
• media usage
• research pedagogy
• student learning

Notes

¹ Introduction to American Politics, 26 students; Scopes and Methods in Political Science, 25 students; Washington Honors Semester Preparatory Course, 20 students

² Selection for the focus group was based on students' willingness to participate and approval of their instructing faculty member.

³ See Appendix A.