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Controversial Issues: Debate and Reflection
response scales (1 = strongly disagree and 4 = strongly agree). Three open-ended items
asked students to identify which aspect of the project was most helpful, to describe how
the project could be improved, and to offer any other comments. As shown in Table #5.1,
students reported the greatest improvements in their use of APA style (APA, 2001) aware-
ness of psychological controversies, and several aspects of critical thinking. Specifically,
students indicated deepened understanding of the importance of defining terms, an
improved ability to critically evaluate others’ positions, and an enhanced ability to use
evidence to support arguments. A one-sample t test indicated that eight of the nine self-
report means were significantly higher than the response scale midpoint of 2.50, ts(20) >
2.91, ps < .01. In short, students saw themselves as making significant strides in develop-
ing their skills, awareness of issues, and critical thinking abilities.
Students’ qualitative feedback indicated that many found the position paper to be the
most useful, followed by the class discussions/debates. Students reported learning new
viewpoints, developing the skill to defend a position publicly, learning how to take a
position, and developing clear, logical arguments supported by evidence instead of per-
sonal opinion. Some students offered ideas for improving the project, including using
“more hard-hitting issues” or requiring an ungraded rough draft. The “other comments”
section generated a number of positive comments such as “really opened my eyes to
certain issues,” and “I loved this project; I think it was helpful in many ways and infor-
mational.”
Course-Embedded Assessment
To assess students’ development as a result of the project, I designed a take-home test
with the same format as the position paper. Students read a new pair of controversial
articles from a Taking Sides volume and wrote a 5-page position paper based on pri-
mary/scholarly research articles. I distributed and explained the test on the last day of
Table #5.1. Self-Report Survey Item Means (Standard Deviations)
The Controversial Issues Research Project... M (SD)
... enhanced my ability to use APA writing style 3.71 (0.56)*
... increased my awareness of various controversies within psychology 3.52 (0.51)*
... improved my ability to consider how defining a term in different ways may
change the debate 3.41 (0.66)*
... increased my ability to critically evaluate others’ positions on an issue 3.38 (0.58)*
... increased my ability to use evidence to support a position 3.29 (0.64)*
... improved my library/PsycINFO skills 3.14 (0.73)*
... improved my ability to state a thesis 2.95 (0.65)*
... improved my confidence in giving a public presentation 2.93 (0.68)*
... improved my ability to work with others (patience, flexibility, etc.) 2.71 (0.83)
Note: items used 4-point response scales where 1 = strongly disagree & 4 = strongly agree
- p <. 01