I Have to Take This Psychology Stuff with Research Too - Really?!

The excitement was palpable as the day had finally come – Research Day! Introduction to Psychology students in a community college who were earning vocational and transfer degrees had become fledging researchers , exuberant to share their knowledge with peers, instructors, their families and community members. Students presented their research using mediums of traditional posters and/or interactive, digital versions. The teaching leading up to Research Day included group activities to enhance persistence in learning and a sense of community. The purpose of this study was to assess students' perceptions of research through a pre/post survey with three variables: interest in psychology, academic efficacy and project-based learning /group work. Assessment measurements revealed changes among students indicating increased academic commitment through the lens of research. As an Introduction to Psychology instructor teaching both students who are earning vocational degrees (ie. fire services, mental health certificate, interior design) and two-year transfer degrees (intent to earn four-year degrees) within the same classroom, it was my quest to deliver the curriculum in such a tremendously engaging way that a commitment to learning and sense of community would be developed within the classroom amongst this diverse student body. Literature shows that undergraduate students' engagement in social sciences research increases their connectivity to the classroom and furthers their commitment A sense of community among students has shown strengthened con-nectivity to learning (Harris, 2007; Morrow & Ackermann, 2012). My colleague, a Reference and Instruction Librarian, also shares a passion in helping students conduct research with the added vision of incorporating technology into the knowledge-sharing aspect of the process. A solid partnership was formed between our disciplines of psychology and library science to better offer opportunities for our students to experience and embrace research with fervor and produce