Fact or fake? Identifying ways of knowing everyday truths in research methods courses

This activity motivates students of communication research methods by challenging them to face their personal epistemologies. We introduce them to a set of formal ways of knowing and match these with their personal justifications for knowledge. Through this exercise, students learn that the scientific method is worthy of study not just to pass a social science focused research methods course, but also to have a deeper understanding of their personal knowledge. Courses: Undergraduate Research Methods (quantitative and/or social science focus). Objectives: By the end of the activity, students should be able to: identify examples of the four ways of knowing; compare and contrast the uses and relative rigor of the four ways of knowing; consume research and media reports with a skeptic's mindset; establish interpersonal contact with classmates and the instructor; and gain motivation for learning the rest of the course material.