Extra Credit As Incentive for Voluntary Research Participation

Authors

Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Byron L. Zamboanga
Ross A. Thompson
Larissa A. Schmersal

Keywords

students, participation, extra credit

Abstract

This study examined whether offering extra credit for research participation was effective at meeting educational goals (e.g., enabling all students to learn about the research process) and providing a representative sample of college students for researchers. Results revealed that less than half (38%) of 193 undergraduate students in an introductory course participated in research. Those who did participate scored higher on measures of academic performance than those who did not participate. Offering extra credit for research participation might not meet educational goals and possibly limits the generalizability of research findings.

Original Publication Citation

Padilla-Walker, L. M., Zamboanga, B. L., Thompson, R. A., & *Schmersal, L. A. (2005). Extra credit as incentive for voluntary research participation. Teaching of Psychology, 32, 150-153.

BYU ScholarsArchive Citation

Padilla-Walker, Laura M.; Zamboanga, Byron L.; Thompson, Ross A.; and Schmersal, Larissa A., "Extra Credit As Incentive for Voluntary Research Participation" (2009). Faculty Publications. 4916.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/4916

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2009-11-20

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7720

Publisher

Teaching of Psychology

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Copyright Use Information

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/