Prince, Felder, Brent (2007), Does Faculty Research Improve Undergraduate Teaching An Analysis of Existing and Potential Synergies

Short summary of the scope and focus in the article

The authors state that they will enquire into “does research enhance undergraduate teaching?”. The article covers the three domains of “bringing research into the classroom”, involving students in research and approaching teaching in the same manner as research (both through teaching methods similar to research and through researching ones own teaching)

Quote a statement that summarizes what the author claims they contribute to the field.

“rather than lamenting the rising expectations for research, we think it more productive to seek ways to improve undergraduate education that work with the prevailing trend. The strategies we have recommended in this paper are intended to do exactly that. They rely on the continued vitality of research on our campuses and seek to make better use of its presence than has been made in the past.”

In your own words, compare the results/arguments presented in the article with the authors’ claim(s) you identified in question 1.

I think it is impossible to evaluate the authors claims as they have not accounted for their approach to clarify the question. The paper bears more resemblance with an opinion piece than a research paper.

Is the argument that the authors provide solid enough based on the evidence and/or theoretical considerations to convince you of their claim(s)?

No

What is missing in the article?

The article has no methods section and lack an explanation of how the authors have approached the question. The degree of details in description of articles referenced is varying and limits the opportunity to consider the validity of the authors claims. Neither does the paper outline a theoretical orientation, which could counterbalance the lack of empirical evidence. So, is it basically missing scholarship?

What was most interesting for you?

I see the question as highly relevant. It therefore piqued my interest and made me search for more high quality articles on the subject.

How does this article relate to your own teaching?

It made me think about our approach to faculty development and study programme design decisions.

What can you learn from it?

That strong opinions make people blind to research findings….or rather that strong opinions make people search for explanations for why the research does not support their preconceived ideas.