A Video Introduction to Psychology: Enhancing Research Interest and Participation

Abstract

To assess the extent to which a video about psychological research would heighten introductory psychology students' interest and participation in research studies, we created a video about ongoing research at our university, the value of research participation, and course requirements for the research experience. Instructors in 4 courses (N = 471 students) verbally explained the research requirement and distributed a document detailing alternatives for completing it. In 2 of these courses, students also saw the video. Results indicated that students who viewed the video reported greater interest in research and completed more research participation hours than did students who did not view the video. We discuss the potential advantages of standardized, noncoercive procedures to encourage student participation in research.

Canadian psychology department participant pools: Closing for the season?

“…While there was a positive response to the evening, the number of credits awarded that semester for research participation was no greater than other semesters. Sacco and Bernstein (2010) had some success increasing participation by showing their Miami University psychology students a video extolling the virtues of participation.…”

Increasing the Efficiency of Data Collection With a Research Participation Night

“…The classes being offered bonus points began participating about 2 weeks earlier, but overall completion rates were only 6% higher compared to courses not offering bonus points. More recently, Sacco and Bernstein (2010) examined the effect of intrinsic incentives by showing students an 8-min video about research at their university that emphasized the value of participation. Those who viewed the video participated in more hours of research than those who did not, but the statistical difference does not correspond with a meaningful one (11.89 vs. 11.31 hour of completed research).…”

What and when should undergraduates learn about research ethics?

“…Moreover, students should experience ethical practice in the form of letters of invitation, consent forms, the competent and nonthreatening conduct of research, and debriefing, especially in cases of deception. Instructors can and, perhaps should, use videos to enhance student interest and participation in research (Sacco & Bernstein, 2010). Most important, teachers must ensure students' understanding of their roles, rights, and responsibilities in psychological research (Korn, 1988).…”