Methodological Lessons Learned from Conducting Civic Education Research in High Schools

Bibliographic Data

ID12378712
AuthorsElizabeth C Matto (Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, corresponding author), Timothy Vercellotti (0000-0002-5918-3951, Western New England University)
Year2012
Volume45
Issue4
Pages728-735
Publication date2012-09-27
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePS Political Science & Politics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1049-0965 • E-ISSN: 1537-5935
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1049096512000820
OpenAlexW2127753386
LanguageEN
References cited26

With the growing size of the “Millennial Generation” and its potential impact on American democracy, the civic education of this cohort deserves study. Using news media and discussion of politics at home and in the classroom at four public high schools in New Jersey, we conducted an experiment to measure changes in media use, political knowledge, and political efficacy. Although the experiment generated useful substantive findings, we also learned important lessons about the challenges associated with conducting research in high schools. We present suggestions to aid in studying a crucial segment of the population: adolescents who are on the cusp of entering the electorate

Democracy · Political science · Politics · Population · Public relations · Sociology · Educator Training and Historical Pedagogy · Law · Public Administration · Social Media and Politics · Youth Development and Social Support

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