Learning by doing: Research methods with a theme

Embracing an active learning approach, a 1-semester research methods course with a statistics laboratory component described herein provided sophomore students with their initial and only required exposure to research methods. Techniques used overcame constraints of limited library resources, restricted interlibrary loan procedures, and lack of a formal participant pool. The instructor selected the theme for a single class project. Students participated in design, data collection, analyses, and report writing. Discussion focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of involving all students in the same project