ERIC Number: EJ1118466
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2167-8693
EISSN: N/A
The Virtual Research Lab: Research Outcome Expectations, Research Knowledge, and the Graduate Student Experience
Stadtlander, Lee; Giles, Martha; Sickel, Amy
Journal of Educational Research and Practice, v3 n1 p120-138 2013
This paper examines the complexities of working with student researchers in a virtual lab setting, logistics, and methods to resolve issues. To demonstrate the feasibility of a virtual lab, a mixed-methods study consisting of quantitative surveys and qualitative data examined changes in doctoral students' confidence as measured by research outcome expectations and changes in a self-assessment of research knowledge and skills test in a 3-quarter virtual psychology research lab. In the lab, 10 doctoral students conducted a faculty-designed project, analyzed data, and cowrote a literature review. Findings indicate lab students' research knowledge and research outcome expectations improved significantly over nonlab comparison students. Student journals provided qualitative evidence of the student experience in a virtual research lab. Students reported individual growth, self-learning, and appreciation of the shared group experience with a common goal. Students related that the application of skills learned in classes to a research setting was more difficult than anticipated.
Descriptors: Student Research, Educational Technology, Technology Uses in Education, Laboratories, Mixed Methods Research, Doctoral Programs, Graduate Students, Student Attitudes, Student Surveys, Research Skills, Comparative Analysis, Conventional Instruction, Instructional Effectiveness, Student Journals, Computer Mediated Communication, Social Science Research, Questionnaires
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Minnesota
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A