1)  WEXTOR's logical progression of labeling and defining variables could be a useful tool for students' practice of setting up a research design.  Assign students the task of creating a research design with 1 between-subjects variable and 1 within-subjects variable (you could easily change up the variable types, number of variables, or even the levels of the variables).  You may want to give students a research context to start from, such as:

• You want to assess individual's ability to remember verbal vs. visual information.
• You want to assess individual's ability to remember letters as opposed to words.
• You think background color (on the monitor) influences the development of aggressive feelings.  So, what's the difference between having a bright red background color as oppose to a sky blue background?

    2) As an overall assessment of students' understanding of issues in research methodology (probably late in a semester), have students construct their own research study.  Again, you my suggest a research scenario, but leave them responsible for devising and defining the variables and creating the dependent measures. This could assess a number of issues:

• Does the logic of their design address the overall research question?
• Do the variables used assess the research question?  Are there adequate levels to the variables?
• Do the dependent measures fit the research question?  Are the measures constructed in an appropriate way?
• Does the procedure include adequate informed consent and debriefing information?