Advising Study

Purpose of Study The purpose of this study is to find out about student knowledge about the research and academic disciplines of psychology and sociology. We will use this information to improve peer advising and student orientation. This is not research but falls into the category of program assessment.

Informed Consent You will be shown a set of instructions on this screen. Please pay close attention to them. You will be asked to make judgments about a series of names of Cal Poly Pomona faculty using those instructions. There are no risks and no benefits to participating in this study. You may stop participating at any time. If you consent, please turn over your questionnaire. If you do not consent, you are free to leave at this time. You will receive Sona credit.

Task 1 In this study you will be shown an instruction on this screen. You will then be given a sheet containing a list of names, three per line. – For each three names, circle the name that you think does not belong with the other two – the one most different. – Base your judgment on the criterion provided by the instruction on the screen.

Consider this sample … Which of these three kinds of animals is most different from the others? dog catbird If you considered bird most different, then you would circle the word bird.

Helpful Hint It may be helpful to use a sheet of paper to keep track of which names are on the same row. like this

Circle one name for each set of three names on your questionnaire. When you finish a page, go on to the next page. You must circle a name for each set, even if you sometimes find it hard to decide.

How to decide Base your decision only on the criteria provided by the instruction. Ignore other characteristics, such as sex of the person, feelings about a class you may have taken with that person, or their hobbies or personal characteristics. If you do not know the person well, base your decision on what you have heard about them from others.

When you are finished, please turn your questionnaire over so that we will know you are done.

Do you have any questions? Please ask them now. During the task, please do not talk with anyone sitting near you. Please turn off your cell phone and do not take it out or answer it during the task. You may turn over the questionnaire and begin circling words when the experimenter tells you to start.

Instruction for Task 1 Which of the three people listed is most different in terms of his or her field of expertise?

Take a Brief Break Next, please repeat the task for the next instructions and set of names. The instructions are the same – please consider only the criterion mentioned in the instruction when making your choices. When you are finished, please turn your questionnaire over so the experimenter will know you are done.

Instruction for Task 2 Which of the three people listed is most different in terms of his or her status within the profession?

Take a Brief Break Next, please repeat the task again for the next instructions and set of names. The instructions are the same – please consider only the criterion mentioned in the instruction when making your choices. When you are finished, please turn your questionnaire over so the experimenter will know you are done.

Instruction for Task 3 Which of the three people listed is most different in terms of his or her subfield within psychology?

One Last Step When you have finished circling the names, please go back and read the list again. If you are unfamiliar with any of the faculty names listed, please put a question mark (?) next to it. When you are finished, please turn your questionnaire over so that the experimenter will know you are done.

Task 4 Please tell us a little about your background. The investigator will give you a brief questionnaire – please answer to the best of your knowledge. When you are finished, please turn your questionnaire over so that we will know you are done.

Thank you! This completes the study -- we greatly appreciate your time and attention. You may go now. Make sure you take all your belongings with you. If you wish to know more about this study, please remain in the room and we will be happy to discuss it with you.