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Improved Reasoning in Undergraduate Writing through Structured Workshops

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  • Jason E. Dowd
  • Michelle P. Connolly
  • Robert J. Thompson
  • Julie A. Reynolds

Abstract

The Department of Economics at Duke University has endeavored to increase participation in undergraduate honors thesis research while ensuring a high-quality learning experience. Given the faculty-to-student ratio in the department (approximately 1:16), increasing research participation required the creation of a stable, replicable framework for mentoring students through research. The department aimed to make the research experience more consistent and interactive so that students also learned from each other in a group setting. Here, the authors assess the relationship between changes in mentoring support of honors research and students' scientific reasoning and writing skills reflected in their undergraduate theses. They find that students who participated in structured courses designed to support and enhance their research exhibited the strongest learning outcomes, as measured by systematic writing assessment.

Suggested Citation

  • Jason E. Dowd & Michelle P. Connolly & Robert J. Thompson & Julie A. Reynolds, 2015. "Improved Reasoning in Undergraduate Writing through Structured Workshops," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(1), pages 14-27, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jeduce:v:46:y:2015:i:1:p:14-27
    DOI: 10.1080/00220485.2014.978924
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. KimMarie McGoldrick, 2008. "Writing Requirements and Economic Research Opportunities in the Undergraduate Curriculum: Results from a Survey of Departmental Practices," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(3), pages 287-296, July.
    2. Dennis J. Palmini, 1996. "Using Rhetorical Cases to Teach Writing Skills and Enhance Economic Learning," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(3), pages 205-216, July.
    3. KimMarie McGoldrick, 2008. "Doing Economics: Enhancing Skills through a Process-Oriented Senior Research Course," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(4), pages 342-356, September.
    4. Gareth P. Green & John C. Bean & Dean J. Peterson, 2013. "Deep Learning in Intermediate Microeconomics: Using Scaffolding Assignments to Teach Theory and Promote Transfer," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(2), pages 142-157, June.
    5. Murray S. Simpson & Shireen E. Carroll, 1999. "Assignments for a Writing-Intensive Economics Course," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(4), pages 402-410, December.
    6. John J. Siegfried, 2001. "Principles for a Successful Undergraduate Economics Honors Program," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(2), pages 169-177, January.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ronald C. Fisher, 2019. "Illustrative Assignments to Incorporate Research and Writing in Introductory Economics Classes," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 4(1), pages 1-14, May.
    3. Gail M. Hoyt & KimMarie McGoldrick, 2017. "Promoting Undergraduate Research in Economics," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 107(5), pages 655-659, May.

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