Lost Letters: Using the Lost-Letter Technique to Teach Social Research Methods

Autor/in	Reid, Matt
Titel	Lost Letters: Using the Lost-Letter Technique to Teach Social Research Methods
Quelle	In: Teaching Sociology, 46 (2018) 4, S.356-363 (8 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0092-055X
DOI	10.1177/0092055X18776728
Schlagwörter	Social Science Research; Research Methodology; Sociology; Undergraduate Students; Introductory Courses; Active Learning; Learner Engagement; Letters (Correspondence); Student Centered Learning; Best Practices; Teaching Methods + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Social scientific research; Sozialwissenschaftliche Forschung; Research method; Forschungsmethode; Soziologie; Einführungskurs; Aktives Lernen; Brief; Group work; Student-entered learning; Student-centred learning; Student centred learning; Schülerorientierter Unterricht; Schülerzentrierter Unterricht; Gruppenarbeit; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode
Abstract	Over 50 years ago, Stanley Milgram and colleagues published a short article detailing an unobtrusive experimental design they called the lost-letter technique. The technique involves placing stamped, unmailed letters in a community and using the relative rate of return to infer local attitudes toward political issues and social groups. Furthermore, the technique is simple and inexpensive enough to replicate in an introductory-level social science course as a means to familiarize students with social research methodology. This activity utilizes active learning with student-centered pedagogy, and this paper details the procedure, best practices, and student feedback. Students enjoy having a personal stake in the project and find they better understand social research through this active learning project. Instructors are encouraged to consider adopting the technique in their courses. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01