Teaching and Learning showcase: supporting students to develop quantitativeresearch skills

Group projects as a method of assessment in anIntroductory Quantitative methods course

Zahra SiddiqueUniversity of Reading

23 June, 2014

Background

Background and rationale for introducing groupprojects

First year EC105/112 module, objectives: the introduction of standard techniquesused for quantitative analysis in economics, to provide sufficient background toallow students to understand more advanced techniques in the second and thirdyears, to demonstrate that statistical analysis can be abused and how to avoidsome of the pitfalls and to try to show that quantitative techniques are useful andrewarding.

focus group feedback: linking statistical methods and statistical software to reallife problems

improve employability, term long project, incorporates active learning (Bonwelland Eison, 1991) and enquiry based learning (Jenkins et al, 2007, and Healy andJenkins, 2009), consistent with excellence in research based learning

Group projects, trial version over first eight weeks of Spring 2013-2014

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 2 / 6

Background

Background and rationale for introducing groupprojects

First year EC105/112 module, objectives: the introduction of standard techniquesused for quantitative analysis in economics, to provide sufficient background toallow students to understand more advanced techniques in the second and thirdyears, to demonstrate that statistical analysis can be abused and how to avoidsome of the pitfalls and to try to show that quantitative techniques are useful andrewarding.

focus group feedback: linking statistical methods and statistical software to reallife problems

improve employability, term long project, incorporates active learning (Bonwelland Eison, 1991) and enquiry based learning (Jenkins et al, 2007, and Healy andJenkins, 2009), consistent with excellence in research based learning

Group projects, trial version over first eight weeks of Spring 2013-2014

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 2 / 6

Background

Background and rationale for introducing groupprojects

First year EC105/112 module, objectives: the introduction of standard techniquesused for quantitative analysis in economics, to provide sufficient background toallow students to understand more advanced techniques in the second and thirdyears, to demonstrate that statistical analysis can be abused and how to avoidsome of the pitfalls and to try to show that quantitative techniques are useful andrewarding.

focus group feedback: linking statistical methods and statistical software to reallife problems

improve employability, term long project, incorporates active learning (Bonwelland Eison, 1991) and enquiry based learning (Jenkins et al, 2007, and Healy andJenkins, 2009), consistent with excellence in research based learning

Group projects, trial version over first eight weeks of Spring 2013-2014

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 2 / 6

Background

Background and rationale for introducing groupprojects

First year EC105/112 module, objectives: the introduction of standard techniquesused for quantitative analysis in economics, to provide sufficient background toallow students to understand more advanced techniques in the second and thirdyears, to demonstrate that statistical analysis can be abused and how to avoidsome of the pitfalls and to try to show that quantitative techniques are useful andrewarding.

focus group feedback: linking statistical methods and statistical software to reallife problems

improve employability, term long project, incorporates active learning (Bonwelland Eison, 1991) and enquiry based learning (Jenkins et al, 2007, and Healy andJenkins, 2009), consistent with excellence in research based learning

Group projects, trial version over first eight weeks of Spring 2013-2014

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 2 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Roll out of tasks

All students assigned to groups of six or seven each, for a total of twenty one groups:

1 a one page description of research question and plans on how to collect data toanswer this question, due at the end of week two of term

2 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to brainstorm on theproject, during week three

3 a two page project description and preliminary data collection protocol, due at theend of week three

4 pilot data and list of problems in collecting this data, due at the end of week four5 a two to four page formal data collection plan, due at the end of week five;

feedback provided on this plan by week six6 collected data, due at the end of week six7 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to discuss ideas on how

to analyze the data, during week seven8 statistical analysis (including a graphical display of the data using statistical

software) due at the end of week eight

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 3 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Roll out of tasks

All students assigned to groups of six or seven each, for a total of twenty one groups:1 a one page description of research question and plans on how to collect data to

answer this question, due at the end of week two of term

2 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to brainstorm on theproject, during week three

3 a two page project description and preliminary data collection protocol, due at theend of week three

4 pilot data and list of problems in collecting this data, due at the end of week four5 a two to four page formal data collection plan, due at the end of week five;

feedback provided on this plan by week six6 collected data, due at the end of week six7 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to discuss ideas on how

to analyze the data, during week seven8 statistical analysis (including a graphical display of the data using statistical

software) due at the end of week eight

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 3 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Roll out of tasks

All students assigned to groups of six or seven each, for a total of twenty one groups:1 a one page description of research question and plans on how to collect data to

answer this question, due at the end of week two of term2 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to brainstorm on the

project, during week three

3 a two page project description and preliminary data collection protocol, due at theend of week three

4 pilot data and list of problems in collecting this data, due at the end of week four5 a two to four page formal data collection plan, due at the end of week five;

feedback provided on this plan by week six6 collected data, due at the end of week six7 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to discuss ideas on how

to analyze the data, during week seven8 statistical analysis (including a graphical display of the data using statistical

software) due at the end of week eight

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 3 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Roll out of tasks

All students assigned to groups of six or seven each, for a total of twenty one groups:1 a one page description of research question and plans on how to collect data to

answer this question, due at the end of week two of term2 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to brainstorm on the

project, during week three3 a two page project description and preliminary data collection protocol, due at the

end of week three

4 pilot data and list of problems in collecting this data, due at the end of week four5 a two to four page formal data collection plan, due at the end of week five;

feedback provided on this plan by week six6 collected data, due at the end of week six7 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to discuss ideas on how

to analyze the data, during week seven8 statistical analysis (including a graphical display of the data using statistical

software) due at the end of week eight

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 3 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Roll out of tasks

All students assigned to groups of six or seven each, for a total of twenty one groups:1 a one page description of research question and plans on how to collect data to

answer this question, due at the end of week two of term2 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to brainstorm on the

project, during week three3 a two page project description and preliminary data collection protocol, due at the

end of week three4 pilot data and list of problems in collecting this data, due at the end of week four

5 a two to four page formal data collection plan, due at the end of week five;feedback provided on this plan by week six

6 collected data, due at the end of week six7 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to discuss ideas on how

to analyze the data, during week seven8 statistical analysis (including a graphical display of the data using statistical

software) due at the end of week eight

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 3 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Roll out of tasks

All students assigned to groups of six or seven each, for a total of twenty one groups:1 a one page description of research question and plans on how to collect data to

answer this question, due at the end of week two of term2 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to brainstorm on the

project, during week three3 a two page project description and preliminary data collection protocol, due at the

end of week three4 pilot data and list of problems in collecting this data, due at the end of week four5 a two to four page formal data collection plan, due at the end of week five;

feedback provided on this plan by week six

6 collected data, due at the end of week six7 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to discuss ideas on how

to analyze the data, during week seven8 statistical analysis (including a graphical display of the data using statistical

software) due at the end of week eight

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 3 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Roll out of tasks

All students assigned to groups of six or seven each, for a total of twenty one groups:1 a one page description of research question and plans on how to collect data to

answer this question, due at the end of week two of term2 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to brainstorm on the

project, during week three3 a two page project description and preliminary data collection protocol, due at the

end of week three4 pilot data and list of problems in collecting this data, due at the end of week four5 a two to four page formal data collection plan, due at the end of week five;

feedback provided on this plan by week six6 collected data, due at the end of week six

7 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to discuss ideas on howto analyze the data, during week seven

8 statistical analysis (including a graphical display of the data using statisticalsoftware) due at the end of week eight

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 3 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Roll out of tasks

All students assigned to groups of six or seven each, for a total of twenty one groups:1 a one page description of research question and plans on how to collect data to

answer this question, due at the end of week two of term2 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to brainstorm on the

project, during week three3 a two page project description and preliminary data collection protocol, due at the

end of week three4 pilot data and list of problems in collecting this data, due at the end of week four5 a two to four page formal data collection plan, due at the end of week five;

feedback provided on this plan by week six6 collected data, due at the end of week six7 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to discuss ideas on how

to analyze the data, during week seven

8 statistical analysis (including a graphical display of the data using statisticalsoftware) due at the end of week eight

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 3 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Roll out of tasks

All students assigned to groups of six or seven each, for a total of twenty one groups:1 a one page description of research question and plans on how to collect data to

answer this question, due at the end of week two of term2 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to brainstorm on the

project, during week three3 a two page project description and preliminary data collection protocol, due at the

end of week three4 pilot data and list of problems in collecting this data, due at the end of week four5 a two to four page formal data collection plan, due at the end of week five;

feedback provided on this plan by week six6 collected data, due at the end of week six7 meeting of 15-20 minutes of the group with the lecturer to discuss ideas on how

to analyze the data, during week seven8 statistical analysis (including a graphical display of the data using statistical

software) due at the end of week eight

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 3 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Additional support over the term

a list of potential projects provided at the start of the term

regular meetings with the lecturers

continuous and prompt feedback during the term

applied computer classes using specialized statistical software for data entry,graphical display of data and statistical analysis (during weeks four and five of theterm)

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 4 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Additional support over the term

a list of potential projects provided at the start of the term

regular meetings with the lecturers

continuous and prompt feedback during the term

applied computer classes using specialized statistical software for data entry,graphical display of data and statistical analysis (during weeks four and five of theterm)

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 4 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Additional support over the term

a list of potential projects provided at the start of the term

regular meetings with the lecturers

continuous and prompt feedback during the term

applied computer classes using specialized statistical software for data entry,graphical display of data and statistical analysis (during weeks four and five of theterm)

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 4 / 6

Description of the method of assessment

Additional support over the term

a list of potential projects provided at the start of the term

regular meetings with the lecturers

continuous and prompt feedback during the term

applied computer classes using specialized statistical software for data entry,graphical display of data and statistical analysis (during weeks four and five of theterm)

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 4 / 6

Evaluation

Evaluation and performance

twenty of the twenty one groups were able to successfully collect the data andcomplete the project

innovative and interesting research questions and data collection plans:1 accuracy of timetables provided by prime buses used by University of

Reading students and how this is affected by traffic and weather conditionsin the local area

2 expenditures of Reading University students

performance better than in standard paper and pencil tests

student evaluations: ambivalence, positive on independence and workingcollaboratively with others, negative on weight in assessment and groupmembers not putting in sufficient effort

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 5 / 6

Evaluation

Evaluation and performance

twenty of the twenty one groups were able to successfully collect the data andcomplete the project

innovative and interesting research questions and data collection plans:1 accuracy of timetables provided by prime buses used by University of

Reading students and how this is affected by traffic and weather conditionsin the local area

2 expenditures of Reading University students

performance better than in standard paper and pencil tests

student evaluations: ambivalence, positive on independence and workingcollaboratively with others, negative on weight in assessment and groupmembers not putting in sufficient effort

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 5 / 6

Evaluation

Evaluation and performance

twenty of the twenty one groups were able to successfully collect the data andcomplete the project

innovative and interesting research questions and data collection plans:1 accuracy of timetables provided by prime buses used by University of

Reading students and how this is affected by traffic and weather conditionsin the local area

2 expenditures of Reading University students

performance better than in standard paper and pencil tests

student evaluations: ambivalence, positive on independence and workingcollaboratively with others, negative on weight in assessment and groupmembers not putting in sufficient effort

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 5 / 6

Action plan and conclusion

Moving forward...

increasing weight in overall assessment

more support in report writing for weeks six to week eight

more equitable distribution of tasks over the term

facilitating collaborative interactions within groups:1 use of tutorials as group meetings with facilitation by class tutors2 reduce group size to a maximum of four or five students only3 peer evaluations4 alternative systems used at the University

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 6 / 6

Action plan and conclusion

Moving forward...

increasing weight in overall assessment

more support in report writing for weeks six to week eight

more equitable distribution of tasks over the term

facilitating collaborative interactions within groups:1 use of tutorials as group meetings with facilitation by class tutors2 reduce group size to a maximum of four or five students only3 peer evaluations4 alternative systems used at the University

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 6 / 6

Action plan and conclusion

Moving forward...

increasing weight in overall assessment

more support in report writing for weeks six to week eight

more equitable distribution of tasks over the term

facilitating collaborative interactions within groups:1 use of tutorials as group meetings with facilitation by class tutors2 reduce group size to a maximum of four or five students only3 peer evaluations4 alternative systems used at the University

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 6 / 6

Action plan and conclusion

Moving forward...

increasing weight in overall assessment

more support in report writing for weeks six to week eight

more equitable distribution of tasks over the term

facilitating collaborative interactions within groups:1 use of tutorials as group meetings with facilitation by class tutors2 reduce group size to a maximum of four or five students only3 peer evaluations4 alternative systems used at the University

Siddique Group projects 23 June, 2014 6 / 6