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Positive Microbiology: Addressing Students' Knowledge Gaps Regarding the Benefits of Microorganisms

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Title: Positive Microbiology: Addressing Students' Knowledge Gaps Regarding the Benefits of Microorganisms
Language: English
Authors: Addison R. Lane (ORCID 0009-0006-9111-6114), Jennifer L. Momsen (ORCID 0000-0002-2570-4288), Lisa B. Wiltbank-Chau (ORCID 0000-0002-7455-2882)
Source: Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. 2025 26(2).
Availability: American Society for Microbiology. 1752 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-737-3600; e-mail: journals@asmusa.org; Web site: https://journals.asm.org/journal/jmbe
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Microbiology, Knowledge Level, College Students, Positive Attitudes, Negative Attitudes, Scientific Attitudes, Student Attitudes
ISSN: 1935-7877
1935-7885
Abstract: The associations of microbes with their environment can result in both positive and negative effects on humans. While most people are aware of the existence of microbes, research shows that perceptions of microbes and their effects are often incomplete or include misconceptions. Much like the positive psychology movement, the recently proposed "positive microbiology" movement can help society to see microbes as tools to benefit mankind. The purpose of this study was to examine college students' knowledge and perception of the positive effects of microbes ("good" microbes) and the negative effects of microbes ("bad" microbes). College students in the United States (n = 924) were surveyed about their perceptions of the characteristics, effects, and responses to bacteria and viruses. Students viewed viruses more negatively than bacteria. For both bacteria and viruses, students struggled to provide examples of beneficial effects of microbes. Thus, we see the need for more instruction about the benefits of microbes. To this end, we offer practical suggestions for this instruction, including research about best practices for teaching and suggested plug-and-play resources available for instructors to incorporate the topic of positive microbiology into their courses.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1481710
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Positive Microbiology: Addressing Students' Knowledge Gaps Regarding the Benefits of Microorganisms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Addison+R%2E+Lane%22">Addison R. Lane</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9111-6114">0009-0006-9111-6114</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jennifer+L%2E+Momsen%22">Jennifer L. Momsen</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2570-4288">0000-0002-2570-4288</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lisa+B%2E+Wiltbank-Chau%22">Lisa B. Wiltbank-Chau</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7455-2882">0000-0002-7455-2882</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Microbiology+%26+Biology+Education%22"><i>Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 26(2).
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  Data: American Society for Microbiology. 1752 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-737-3600; e-mail: journals@asmusa.org; Web site: https://journals.asm.org/journal/jmbe
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  Data: The associations of microbes with their environment can result in both positive and negative effects on humans. While most people are aware of the existence of microbes, research shows that perceptions of microbes and their effects are often incomplete or include misconceptions. Much like the positive psychology movement, the recently proposed "positive microbiology" movement can help society to see microbes as tools to benefit mankind. The purpose of this study was to examine college students' knowledge and perception of the positive effects of microbes ("good" microbes) and the negative effects of microbes ("bad" microbes). College students in the United States (n = 924) were surveyed about their perceptions of the characteristics, effects, and responses to bacteria and viruses. Students viewed viruses more negatively than bacteria. For both bacteria and viruses, students struggled to provide examples of beneficial effects of microbes. Thus, we see the need for more instruction about the benefits of microbes. To this end, we offer practical suggestions for this instruction, including research about best practices for teaching and suggested plug-and-play resources available for instructors to incorporate the topic of positive microbiology into their courses.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 11
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Knowledge Level
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Positive Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Negative Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Scientific Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – TitleFull: Positive Microbiology: Addressing Students' Knowledge Gaps Regarding the Benefits of Microorganisms
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            NameFull: Lisa B. Wiltbank-Chau
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