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Conducting mixed method research: An interdisciplinary service learning approach

Katie Sullivan and Amy Wolfsen

Center for Engineering Leadership and Department of Communication University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah katie.sullivan@utah.edu

Abstract This research will qualitatively and quantitatively assess team-member experiences and attitudes towards the interdisciplinary service learning seminar Chemical engineering (ChE) 4975, Hydrogen Sustainability. It is important because ChE 4975 is a pilot program that encompasses service learning, interdisciplinary teams and the combination of high school, college and graduate students. The researchers will (1) examine team-members experiences in this course to determine if and how the course design can be improved and (2) quantify high school students’ perceptions of college, specifically the University of Utah and the College of Engineering. ChE is a pilot interdisciplinary service-learning seminar on hydrogen sustainability. It includes 12 University f Utah college students (six from Chemical Engineering and six from other disciplines) and 12 advanced high school students who will be taking the course for college credit. The “pilot” nature of this course requires that research be conducted to assess the impact of the course. Currently, the seminar will be evaluated for both fostering cognitive development in students and their impressions of service learning experiences. This research is designed to supplement existing research on the evaluation of the service learning experience. A combination of qualitative and quantitative data will be utilized. Specifically qualitative research will include ethnographic observation of the classroom experience and data analysis of Web-CT student postings. Quantitative pre-tests and post-tests will assess change in students’ perceptions of college, this particular course and the College of Engineering. Further, the quantitative surveys will also assess communicative aspects, service learning and benefits of teamwork in a multi-leveled course.

Course Description Chemical Engineering 4975 (hydrogen sustainability) is an interdisciplinary service-learning seminar on hydrogen sustainability. The class will be limited to no more than 24 students. 12 University students and 12 advanced high school students who will be taking this course for college credit. Of the12 university students, approximately 6 will be chemical engineering students. One primary objective will be to design and build a photoelectrochemical hydrogen production prototype for a national competition in Washington DC next year. Another primary objective will be to investigate implementing this prototype into the community at a much larger scale, say for hydrogen-powered

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Sullivan, K. (2005, June), Conducting Mixed Method Research: An Interdisciplinary Service Learning Approach Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--14751