Research Study to Assess Whether Mentors and Research Projects Positively Impact Student Performance

• Activity Number: 135
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 5, 2013 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): Carolyn Morgan*+ and Anne Pierce
• Companies: Hampton University and Hampton University
• Keywords: education ; research study ; assessment

Abstract

A three-year NSF educational research study of the impact of a new instructional format on student learning outcomes in calculus has been completed. The study specifically addressed the impact of faculty mentors, role models and research projects on the performance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors in the gate-keeper Calculus I course at a historically black college and university (HBCU). While some of the calculus classes have received the standard instruction other sections have received the FORCE (Financially Oriented Research Calculus Experience) instruction. Student pre- and post-calculus test scores and final exam scores were used to assess student performance in the course for the two study groups. The study results indicate that the FORCE student population is performing slightly better in the course. The statistical analysis techniques and results to date will be presented.