Formalized Curiosity: Outcomes of an Empirically Based Research Methods Course for English Majors

Abstract

There were a variety of limitations in a study that Stringham et al acknowledge. The Qualtrics Survey had a response of 25 individuals, which indicates a credible response rate of 30-35%. While there were enough responses for the data to be credible, higher response rates are always better. All of the data in this study were self-reported. Precautions were taken to avoid bias, but some bias could still be present. Finally, due to the effects of COVID-19, the course was offered asynchronously for the first time, and no in-person contact was allowed. Interviews for this project and the individual research projects were conducted via Zoom or an alternate technology. While they as a class missed the tactile experiences of analyzing research posters from previous semesters and the community that in-person classes offer, they note that they were successful at completing this project as well as individual projects. In fact, eleven of them presented their individual projects at the Fall Student Research Symposium on campus, and all of them were noted as authors on the poster for the project.