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Research and Teaching. Effects of a Research-Based Ecology Lab Course: A Study of Nonvolunteer Achievement, Self-Confidence, and Perception of Lab Course Purpose

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Title: Research and Teaching. Effects of a Research-Based Ecology Lab Course: A Study of Nonvolunteer Achievement, Self-Confidence, and Perception of Lab Course Purpose
Language: English
Authors: Kloser, Matthew J., Brownell, Sara E., Shavelson, Richard J., Fukami, Tadashi
Source: Journal of College Science Teaching. Jan 2013 42(3):72-81.
Availability: National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2013
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Ecology, Laboratory Experiments, Learning Experience, Introductory Courses, Biology, Pretests Posttests, Affective Objectives, Cognitive Objectives, Research Design, Cognitive Ability, Course Descriptions, Course Evaluation, Cognitive Measurement, Affective Measures, Science Experiments, Achievement Gains, Active Learning, Undergraduate Students, Likert Scales
Geographic Terms: California
DOI: 10.2505/4/jcst13_042_03_72
ISSN: 0047-231X
Abstract: Undergraduate biology lab courses have long been criticized for engaging students in "cookbook" experiences in which students follow a given protocol to collect data that help answer a predetermined question. Recent reform documents in biology education have suggested that students should engage in lab courses that provide more authentic research experiences in which students are responsible for the development of research questions, the collection of data, and its analysis. This paper presents the evaluation of a research-based introductory biology lab course focused on an ecological system. Pre- and postcourse surveys and performance assessments were administered to nonvolunteer students to measure the course's impact on cognitive and affective constructs. Results indicate that participation in the authentic lab course improved students' experimental design and data interpretation abilities at a statistically significant level. Furthermore, students' confidence in their ability to execute authentic lab tasks as well as their perception of the lab's purpose changed over time, both in ways that reflect more authentic engagement in scientific research. (Contains 4 tables and 4 figures.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 29
Entry Date: 2014
Access URL: https://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/4/jcst13_042_03_72
Accession Number: EJ1011729
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Research and Teaching. Effects of a Research-Based Ecology Lab Course: A Study of Nonvolunteer Achievement, Self-Confidence, and Perception of Lab Course Purpose
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  Data: National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
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  Data: Undergraduate biology lab courses have long been criticized for engaging students in "cookbook" experiences in which students follow a given protocol to collect data that help answer a predetermined question. Recent reform documents in biology education have suggested that students should engage in lab courses that provide more authentic research experiences in which students are responsible for the development of research questions, the collection of data, and its analysis. This paper presents the evaluation of a research-based introductory biology lab course focused on an ecological system. Pre- and postcourse surveys and performance assessments were administered to nonvolunteer students to measure the course's impact on cognitive and affective constructs. Results indicate that participation in the authentic lab course improved students' experimental design and data interpretation abilities at a statistically significant level. Furthermore, students' confidence in their ability to execute authentic lab tasks as well as their perception of the lab's purpose changed over time, both in ways that reflect more authentic engagement in scientific research. (Contains 4 tables and 4 figures.)
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        Value: 10.2505/4/jcst13_042_03_72
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      – Text: English
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Ecology
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      – SubjectFull: Laboratory Experiments
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