Reading of empirical research material may be difficult for the students, and often they will not set off the amount of time required to become good at this. The result is that class discussions are often superficial and personal rather than academically based. The roleplay activity sets a framework for the students’ reading of empirical studies and increases their understanding of what is required and what they need to pay particular attention to while reading. Moreover, the students learn how to make active use of empirical research in class discussions.
The role play is a discussion exercise in which students team up in groups of five to six students and discuss an empirical study, taking as their point of departure the roles assigned to them by the teacher. The discussions should result in a review of the text, and all groups should finally present the conclusion of their discussion in class.
During the roleplay, the students will engage in their respective roles and in the group discussion, which causes them to become significantly better at reading and understanding empirical studies. They develop their ability to present arguments from an academic viewpoint and to see the strengths and weaknesses of an articles, and their discussions will have a much more academic and less personal point of departure.
