Developing and Implementing an Intervention Study: Strategies for Mentoring Students Throughout the Research Process

Abstract

Introduction

Designing and conducting an intervention study is an arduous task for students that requires strong teaching and mentoring practices from psychology instructors.

Statement of the Problem

Most research methods textbooks simply describe how an intervention is incorporated into a research study design (Johnson & Christensen, 2016), but rarely discuss steps on how to plan and develop an intervention study, leaving instructors without a guide to mentor students throughout the process.

Literature Review

Some research methods education instructors incorporate teaching techniques such as problem-based learning, “learning by doing,” or by incorporating online modules into their research methods curricula (Gurung, R. A. R., & Stoa, R. (2020). A national survey of teaching and learning research methods: Important concepts and faculty and student perspectives. Teaching of Psychology, 47(2), 111-120.).

Teaching Implications

This article provides a summary of best practices from the literature and from our experiences in planning, developing, and implementing rigorous intervention studies utilizing a checklist teaching-tool intended for undergraduate- and graduate-level psychology instructors. Additionally, teaching tips on incorporating hands-on intervention activities and projects into coursework are provided (Butler, B. M., & Morrow, J. A. (2021). Developing and implementing an intervention study: Strategies for mentoring students throughout the research process supplementary material. Figshare).

Conclusion

This checklist can enhance the teaching and mentorship of students to ensure successful intervention studies of their own.