Course-Based Research Assignment: COVID-19 and the American Family (SOC 308)

Abstract

Knowing how we do our craft as sociologists is an important part of how students develop a sociological imagination and build research skills. Actively learning research by doing and receiving immediate feedback from both the instructor and peers can improve student learning. Couched in the five-part research cycle (question, literature, data, analysis, presentation), this project advanced students' research skills in data collection and analysis through a collaborative, student-led exploratory study in which they addressed the research question: how has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted American family life? After receiving instructions through micro-lectures and demonstrations on Blackboard through VoiceThread, along with detailed printed instructions, students applied qualitative methods (semi-structured interviews), concepts and principles from an upper-division family sociology course, argued for how they would analyze the data they collected, and reflected on their research experience. Students collaborated on several steps of the project through small groups (5-6) on Microsoft Teams. The project was completed in steps to promote learning select underlying skills. It used a scaffolding approach to achieve Analysis in Bloom's taxonomy. A sample (n=30) of students' interview data (N=75) were compiled into a preliminary research project that the instructor completed and presented in a virtual lecture and discussion so students could effectively contribute to their own learning. The project demonstrates the potential for further integrating research into the undergraduate curriculum by including empirical research in substantive courses. The project also demonstrates a way to engage students in the learning process while teaching asynchronously online in a course that is otherwise discussion-heavy in person. Lastly, the project facilitated student-to-family dialogue, which some students reported helped them personally. As such, this project can help make course content more relevant to students, as they see it play out in their own lives.

Overall learning goals: 1. Apply qualitative research strategies (KU Core 3) 2. Analyze primary data sociologically 3. Demonstrate collaboration skills 4. Demonstrate capacity to investigate diversity (KU Core 4.1)

The first document combines all activities that are associated with the project in chronological order. The second is an outline of the plan for how the project was disseminated in the course and the method by which the instructor analyzed student data.