Do Sociology Courses Make More Empathetic Students? A Mixed-Methods Study of Empathy Change in Undergraduates

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 284-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Rockwell ◽  
Chris M. Vidmar ◽  
Penny Harvey ◽  
Leanna Greenwood

Assessing course goals is often challenging; assessing an abstract goal, like empathy, can be especially so. For many instructors, empathy is central to sociological thinking. As such, fostering empathy in students is a common course goal. In this article, we report the initial findings of a semester-long assessment of empathy change in undergraduate students ( N = 619). We employ a mixed-methods research design that utilizes qualitative instructor data to determine independent instructor-level variables and student surveys to measure student empathy change. We compare empathy change between students enrolled in introductory sociology classes to students not enrolled in sociology classes and test which student and instructor variables predict empathy change. We find that students taking sociology classes have positive empathy change compared to those who do not. We interpret these findings as evidence that study of sociology promotes empathy development and discuss implications for the classroom and further research.

2019 ◽  
Vol 200 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-129
Author(s):  
Tilisa Thibodeaux ◽  
Drake Curette ◽  
Stacey Bumstead ◽  
Andrea Karlin ◽  
Gayle Butaud

This study explored pre-service teachers’ knowledge and awareness of dialectical code switching in classroom settings. A Likert-type scale survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted as part of an embedded, mixed-methods research design. Twenty-two undergraduate students responded to the online survey and 28 volunteered to be interviewed by the researchers. Results indicated that pre-service teachers have limited knowledge of code switching but felt that nurturing a relationship with students, understanding their cultural backgrounds, and paying careful attention to linguistic differences can help students feel empowered and ultimately lead to successful learning experiences in the classroom.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Brook ◽  
Sue Fostaty Young

The purpose of this research was to identify the various types of employment held by music alumni at one university. We also compare the perceptions of alumni who currently work primarily in music with those of alumni who work outside the field. A mixed-methods research design that relied on surveys and interviews was used to gather data. Alumni employed primarily outside the field held a wide variety of roles and many reported incorporating their musical skills in these roles and they continued to engage in a variety of activities within the field of music. Those whose employment was primarily in music were more likely to have reported choosing to enroll in a music degree program with an express intention of gaining music-focused employment. Findings from this study illustrate that while graduates of music programs do find employment success, further investigation is necessary to identify the breadth of roles available, yet untapped, for music graduates and the perhaps entrepreneurial requirements for engagement in them. Our findings also point to the need for music programs to realign curriculum to better reflect the ever-expanding music sector.


2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 1023-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane G. Tillman ◽  
A. Jill Clemence ◽  
Jennifer L. Stevens

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-74
Author(s):  
N.P.S. Widiastuti ◽  
N.N. Padmadewi ◽  
N.L.P.E.S. Dewi

The objectives of the research was to investigate and analyze the implementation of videoconference as a method to teach speaking; and to analyze teachers’ and students’ opinion about videoconference. The present research applied a mixed methods research design. The research subjects were 93 students and 2 speaking lecturers. The findings showed that the implementation of videoconference for speaking was seamlessly done.  In the pre-activities, lecturer greeted students, sent link of meeting and attendance list, and did apperception. Main activities were done through various teaching methods and strategies for videoconference, namely focus trios, chain speaking and discussion. In the post-activities the students did online game, summarized the lesson, and did the project. The implementation of videoconference mostly utilized Zoom Meeting and others supporting systems, such as: WhatsApp Group, Quizizz,  and many more. Lastly, the results of the questionnaire showed positive response as the participants mostly perceive the advantages rather than disadvantages of videoconference provided.    


2015 ◽  
pp. 411-432
Author(s):  
Theodora Issa ◽  
David Pick

Contributing to the ongoing debate in research on sensitive issues such as business ethics, this chapter provides a discussion of mixed methods research design, examining the processes and challenges of developing and deploying an online survey tool using technology within an interpretive mixed methods design. This chapter provides pointers on how to deploy this approach through technology to research business ethics using the example of researching ethical mindsets and its components, including spirituality and aesthetics. It is found that mixed methods research is an effective approach because it allows often sensitive issues (i.e. business ethics, aesthetics, spirituality) relating to questioning individuals' inner values and ethical propensities, which are usually subtle and difficult to measure and analyze constructs. While this tool was developed in the Australian context, it has the potential to form a foundation for wider examination and research in business ethics. The chapter contributes to the collective discussion of research methods using a framework that has both practical relevance and theoretical rigor.


This chapter presents the methodological and conceptual approach, which informed the research design for the study. It is pertinent to reiterate here that the design of this study sought to discern the positive psychological forces that shape subjective wellbeing of informal caregivers. This desire prompted the adoption of a mixed methods research. The rationale for this methodological preference is presented. In addition, advantages of mixed methods approach are elaborated upon. Furthermore, other issues are addressed, including sample size, instrumentation, and research procedures. This chapter also explains, with much detail, the parameters and boundary conditions that constituted the guiding assumptions, limitations, as well as delimitations of the study. It should be noted that the chapter also explains the essential approach to data analysis.


Author(s):  
Mette L. Baran

This chapter introduces the various design choices researchers need to decide on prior to conducting the study. The chapter starts with a detailed description of what research design is, followed by an explanation of descriptive, explanatory, or exploratory research questions. This determines what type of data will be collected. The major strategic implementation methods for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods are then discussed. The three strategies for mixed methods research—parallel convergent, sequential, and embedded design—are presented in detail along with the rationale for their use. Finally, in the last section, the strands or sequencing of the data collection phase of the study are explained.


Author(s):  
Isabela Mares ◽  
Lauren E. Young

This study examines clientelistic politics in two post-communist countries, Hungary and Romania. Chapter 3 presents descriptive information on the recent evolution of party systems in both countries and the changes in patterns of political competition in recent elections. It examines the most significant policies that provide opportunities for clientelistic manipulation of state resources. In both countries, the main social policy programs that can be subjected to political manipulation are workfare programs. The chapter discusses the main political considerations leading to the adoption of workfare programs characterized by high discretion of mayors over the allocation of policy benefits. It also describes how a mixed methods research design was crafted to study behavior that candidates, brokers, and voters often prefer to hide.


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