Striking Findings from PSYC100 Student Researchers
Student-led research projects from Dr. Rebecca Covarrubias's PSYC100: Research Methods in Psychology Course
ABOUT THE FINDINGS
In Dr. Rebecca Covarrubias's PSYC100: Research Methods in Psychology course, entire sections engage in a 10-week participatory action research (PAR) project focused on a topic of student success. These PAR projects center the experiential knowledge of undergraduate students and situate them as research experts on the topic of student success in higher education, and specifically at UC Santa Cruz. The groups include 12 different sections of 24-26 undergraduate students and a lead teaching assistant (TA). Together, the groups work to identify a critical area of student success, develop the research tools to investigate that topic through a correlational study design, and stretch their skills in communicating their research across various platforms, including developing an APA-scholarly paper and an accessible summary of their research. This site is focused on showcasing the striking findings from students' PAR projects and the brilliant ways they worked to translate their work.
Read more about their insights and recommendations for how to better support students at UCSC!
EXPLORE THE FINDINGS
Image source: An Introduction to Resarch Justice Toolkit
ABOUT PAR
Participatory action research (PAR) is a framework for generating new knowledge and conducting research in ways that center those who are most impacted by the work and that works toward social change (Fine, 2018; Lewin, 1946). Research methods courses can serve as opportune sites for PAR projects (Silva et al., 2020). A PAR approach offers a critical contribution to research on student success within higher education settings, centering students as experts in the research process.
Learn more about PAR!