Entwicklung, Implementation und Evaluation eines beispielbasierten Instruktionsansatzes zur Förderung von Handlungskompetenz im Bereich empirischer Forschungsmethoden

Abstract

Starting from problems of knowledge acquisition and transfer in the domain of empirical research methods, an example-based instructional approach to foster domain-specific action competence was developed. The heart of the approach are two worked-out examples which include most contents of a two-semester-lecture on empirical research methods. The examples were presented in an incomplete form and had to be completed by the students. The instructional approach was implemented in the context of a virtual tutorial which accompanied the regular lectures. It was evaluated in the context of a field study in which the feedback-condition was varied experimentally. 25 students were given special questions to guide feedback-processing (experimental group 1), 25 students were given no guidance (experimental group 2). 30 students who attended the lectures but did not participate in the virtual tutorial were used as control group. The feedback-condition did not influence the acquisition of action competence. Even though the learners did not use the examples in an optimal manner, the experimental group was more successful than the control group both in an exercise test and in the regular written exam. In order to further increase the effectiveness of the instructional approach, the students´ competence of self-regulated learning should be fostered.