Hybridizing Socrates: A Hybrid Approach to Teaching Graduate Research Methods

Graduate research methods are a staple of every criminal justice and criminology masters program. Traditionally, graduate research methods courses are offered in a face-to-face format, although more recently online offerings are becoming more common. This manuscript makes the case for a hybrid appro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of criminal justice education 2014-01, Vol.25 (1), p.34-53
Main Authors: Pelfrey, William V., Bubolz, Bryan F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Criminal justice
Criminology
Learning
Online instruction
Research methodology
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Summary:Graduate research methods are a staple of every criminal justice and criminology masters program. Traditionally, graduate research methods courses are offered in a face-to-face format, although more recently online offerings are becoming more common. This manuscript makes the case for a hybrid approach to teaching graduate research methods using a Socratic classroom approach combined with an online component that emphasizes writing and classmate critique. Students from two years of the course (n = 24) responded to a detailed survey assessing the utility and effectiveness of the online postings element. Responses indicate that required postings of sections of the research proposal were viewed positively; critiques of classmates' sections contributed to understanding of material, but classmate recommendations were not viewed as useful. Recommendations are offered concerning the efficacy of blending in-class discussions with an online learning element.
ISSN:1051-1253
1745-9117
DOI:10.1080/10511253.2013.798422