Why We Should Integrate Social Skills Instruction for Community-Based Research in Graduate Coursework

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: SIG-Qualitative Research Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

Community-based research requires specific, enhanced social skills, however, most graduate programs do not directly teach for social skill aptitudes. While all generations of graduate students can benefit from explicit social skills instruction, Generation Z (born 1997-2012) have been identified as struggling in post-secondary educational settings and the workplace due to under-developed social skills. Therefore, evidence-based best practices of fostering researcher social skills were used to develop a 2-hour workshop as an addendum to a graduate-level, qualitative research methods course. With this workshop, we witnessed improved self-confidence, less anxiety in completing research projects, and improved quality of collected qualitative data.

Author

• Nicole Sankofa, University of North Texas