We describe an activity that combines the instructional benefits of video with the active and integrative learning inherent in the analysis and interpretation of realistic data. In the activity, students watched a brief video clip that showed how an actual research study was conducted. Students then analyzed raw data from the study, interpreted the results, and compared their work to published results and conclusions. The activity allows students to practice applying their knowledge of statistics and research methodology to realistic situations without having to conduct actual research. Students reported that the activity is engaging and helpful, and a comparison of pretest and posttest quiz scores suggested that it helps students learn to use and interpret statistical procedures.
AndersonD. D. (1992). Using feature films as tools for analysis in a psychology and law course. Teaching of Psychology, 19, 155–158. doi:10.1207/s15328023top1903_6
2.
BallmanK. (2000). Real data in classroom examples. In MooreT. L. (Ed.), Teaching statistics: Resources for undergraduate instructors (pp. 11–18). Washington, DC: Mathematical Association of America.
3.
BartschR. A.BittnerW. M. E.MorenoJ. E. (2008). A design to improve internal validity of assessments of teaching demonstrations. Teaching of Psychology, 35, 357–359. doi:10.1080/00986280802373809
4.
BogerP. (2001). The benefit of student-generated data in an introductory statistics class. Journal of Education for Business, 77, 5–8. doi:10.1080/08832320109599663
5.
BoyatzisC. J. (1994). Using feature films to teach social development. Teaching of Psychology, 21, 99–101. doi:10.1207/s15328023top2102_9
6.
CherneyI. D. (2008). The effects of active learning on students’ memories for course content. Active Learning in Higher Education, 9, 152–171. doi:10.1177/1469787408090841
7.
ChristopherA. N.WalterJ. L.MarekP.KoenigC. S. (2004). Using a “new classic” film to teach about stereotyping and prejudice. Teaching of Psychology, 31, 199–202. doi:10.1207/s15328023top3103_5
8.
CobbG. (1992). Teaching statistics. In SteenL. (Ed.), Heeding the call for change: Suggestions for curricular action (pp. 3–43). Washington, DC: Mathematical Association of America.
9.
ConnerD. B. (1996). From Monty Python to Total Recall: A feature film activity for the cognitive psychology course. Teaching of Psychology, 23, 33–35. doi:10.1207/s15328023top2301_6
DorrisW.DuceyR. (1978). Social psychology and sex roles in films. Teaching of Psychology, 5, 168–169. doi:10.1207/s15328023top0503_17
12.
FlemingM. Z.PiedmontR. L.HiamC. M. (1990). Images of madness: Feature films in teaching psychology. Teaching of Psychology, 17, 185–187. doi:10.1207/s15328023top1703_12
13.
HandD. J.DalyF.LunnA. D.McConwayK. J.OstrowskiE. (Eds.). (1994). A handbook of small data sets. London, England: Chapman and Hall.
14.
HartK. E.StevensK. (1995). The use and evaluation of video supplements in the teaching of introductory psychology. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 22, 103–114.
15.
KelleyS.CalkinsS. (2006). Evaluating popular portrayals of memory in film. Teaching of Psychology, 33, 191–194. doi:10.1207/s15328023top3303_7
16.
LoganR. D. (1988). Using a film as a personality case study. Teaching of Psychology, 15, 103–104. doi:10.1207/s15328023top1502_11
17.
MooreD. S. (1993). The place of video in new styles of teaching and learning statistics. The American Statistician, 47, 172–176.
18.
MorganB. L. (2001). Statistically lively uses for obituaries. Teaching of Psychology, 28, 56–58.
19.
MorseB. J. (2013). Replicate this! Creating individual level data from summary statistics using R. Teaching of Psychology, 40.
20.
NolanD.SpeedT. P. (1999). Teaching statistics theory through applications. The American Statistician, 53, 370–375.
21.
PrinceM. (2004). Does active learning work? A review of the research. Journal of Engineering Education, 93, 223–231.
22.
RosaL.RosaE.SamerL.BarrettS. (1998). A close look at therapeutic touch. Journal of the American Medical Association, 279, 1005–1010. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1797
23.
Roskos-EwoldsenD. R.Roskos-EwoldsenB. (2001). Using video clips to teach social psychology. Teaching of Psychology, 28, 212–215.
24.
Ruiz-PrimoM. A.BriggsD.IversonH.TalbotR.ShepardL. A. (2011). Impact of undergraduate science course innovations on learning. Science, 331, 1269–1270. doi:10.1126/science.1198976
25.
RyanR. S. (2006). A hands-on exercise improves understanding of the standard error of the mean. Teaching of Psychology, 33, 180–183. doi:10.1207/s15328023top3303_5
26.
SimpsonK. (2008). Classic and modern propaganda in documentary film: Teaching the psychology of persuasion. Teaching of Psychology, 35, 103–108. doi:10.1080/00986280802004602
27.
ThompsonW. B. (1994). Making data analysis realistic: Incorporating research into statistics courses. Teaching of Psychology, 21, 41–43. doi:10.1207/s15328023top2101_9
28.
ThompsonW. B.VermetteP. J.WisniewskiS. A. (2004). Ten cooperative learning activities for the cognitive psychology course. Teaching of Psychology, 31, 134–136.
29.
TintleN.TopliffK.VanderStoepJ.HolmesV.SwansonT. (2012). Retention of statistical concepts in a preliminary randomization-based introductory statistics curriculum. Statistics Education Research Journal, 11, 21–40.
30.
VanderStoepS. W.FagerlinA.FeenstraJ. S. (2000). What do students remember from Introductory Psychology?Teaching of Psychology, 20, 89–92. doi:10.1207/S15328023TOP2702_02
