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Required vs. Optional Study Guides: Exam Performance in Online Introduction to Psychology

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Title: Required vs. Optional Study Guides: Exam Performance in Online Introduction to Psychology
Language: English
Authors: Zein A. Saleh (ORCID 0009-0004-0716-1621), Canyon Skare, Manda J. Williamson (ORCID 0000-0001-8036-264X)
Source: Teaching of Psychology. 2026 53(3):245-250.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 6
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Study Guides, Study Skills, Undergraduate Students, Introductory Courses, Psychology, Online Courses, Test Preparation, Academic Achievement, Outcomes of Education, Scores, Asynchronous Communication
DOI: 10.1177/00986283251330917
ISSN: 0098-6283
1532-8023
Abstract: Background: Introduction to psychology disproportionately enrolls beginning college students with significant variability in study skills. Study guides are tools that may help students more effectively prepare for exams. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare exam performance for students who completed required versus optional study guides. Method: Students (n = 169) in asynchronous online Introduction to Psychology completed required study guides for three exams, while 86 students in a comparison section completed a required study guide only for the final exam, though study guides were available for all exams. To control for student motivation, regression analyses incorporated Learning Management System (LMS) engagement metrics, including participation rates, page views, and on-time assignment completion. Results: Students in the required-guide group significantly outperformed those with optional guides. Regression analyses indicated that study guide completion contributed significantly to exam success even after accounting for the influence of Exam 1 and engagement. Conclusion: Requiring study guides was associated with improved exam performance, even when controlling for motivation and prior exam scores. These findings suggest that completing a structured study guide may support student success in online courses. Teaching Implications: Integrating required study guides into courses may improve exams independent of student motivation.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://osf.io/4zqew
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505531
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Required vs. Optional Study Guides: Exam Performance in Online Introduction to Psychology
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zein+A%2E+Saleh%22">Zein A. Saleh</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0716-1621">0009-0004-0716-1621</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Canyon+Skare%22">Canyon Skare</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Manda+J%2E+Williamson%22">Manda J. Williamson</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8036-264X">0000-0001-8036-264X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Teaching+of+Psychology%22"><i>Teaching of Psychology</i></searchLink>. 2026 53(3):245-250.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 6
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Study+Guides%22">Study Guides</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Study+Skills%22">Study Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Introductory+Courses%22">Introductory Courses</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychology%22">Psychology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Online+Courses%22">Online Courses</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Test+Preparation%22">Test Preparation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Outcomes+of+Education%22">Outcomes of Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scores%22">Scores</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Asynchronous+Communication%22">Asynchronous Communication</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
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  Data: 10.1177/00986283251330917
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
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  Data: 0098-6283<br />1532-8023
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Introduction to psychology disproportionately enrolls beginning college students with significant variability in study skills. Study guides are tools that may help students more effectively prepare for exams. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare exam performance for students who completed required versus optional study guides. Method: Students (n = 169) in asynchronous online Introduction to Psychology completed required study guides for three exams, while 86 students in a comparison section completed a required study guide only for the final exam, though study guides were available for all exams. To control for student motivation, regression analyses incorporated Learning Management System (LMS) engagement metrics, including participation rates, page views, and on-time assignment completion. Results: Students in the required-guide group significantly outperformed those with optional guides. Regression analyses indicated that study guide completion contributed significantly to exam success even after accounting for the influence of Exam 1 and engagement. Conclusion: Requiring study guides was associated with improved exam performance, even when controlling for motivation and prior exam scores. These findings suggest that completing a structured study guide may support student success in online courses. Teaching Implications: Integrating required study guides into courses may improve exams independent of student motivation.
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  Label: Abstractor
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  Data: As Provided
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1505531
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        Value: 10.1177/00986283251330917
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      – TitleFull: Required vs. Optional Study Guides: Exam Performance in Online Introduction to Psychology
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