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Development and Analysis of a Learning Outcomes Assessment Instrument for a Single-Semester Nonmajors Biochemistry Course

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Title: Development and Analysis of a Learning Outcomes Assessment Instrument for a Single-Semester Nonmajors Biochemistry Course
Language: English
Authors: Paul J. Laybourn (ORCID 0000-0002-6433-4523), Brian Kalet, Aaron J. Sholders (ORCID 0009-0004-7599-1010)
Source: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. 2025 53(5):546-554.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Land Grant Universities, College Science, Science Education, Biochemistry, Nonmajors, Student Evaluation, Evaluation Methods, Science Tests, Objective Tests, Learning Objectives, Thermodynamics, Metabolism, Scores, College Students
DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21913
ISSN: 1470-8175
1539-3429
Abstract: For STEM faculty to approach teaching as a scientist, they must develop tools for data collection and analysis of student learning outcomes. Here, we report a methodology for the development of a learning outcomes assessment instrument and statistical analysis of that instrument that can be undertaken in a short amount of time by a few faculty members with little to no funding. Our team of instructors at a public land-grant university developed an instrument for our single-semester nonmajors biochemistry course. The instrument consists of eight sets of multiple true/false questions assessing learning objectives covering topics within protein structure and function, thermodynamics, and metabolism. We employed the instrument as a pre- and postcourse evaluation for several semesters. We conducted statistical analyses on overall exam scores and on individual questions. The results indicate that between the beginning and the end of the semester students achieved statistically significant increases in their cumulative scores. Finer-grained analysis revealed that students displayed little to no improvement in specific content areas and concepts. These findings point to areas in need of pedagogical interventions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1483602
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Development and Analysis of a Learning Outcomes Assessment Instrument for a Single-Semester Nonmajors Biochemistry Course
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Paul+J%2E+Laybourn%22">Paul J. Laybourn</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6433-4523">0000-0002-6433-4523</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Brian+Kalet%22">Brian Kalet</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Aaron+J%2E+Sholders%22">Aaron J. Sholders</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7599-1010">0009-0004-7599-1010</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Biochemistry+and+Molecular+Biology+Education%22"><i>Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 53(5):546-554.
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 10.1002/bmb.21913
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  Data: 1470-8175<br />1539-3429
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  Data: For STEM faculty to approach teaching as a scientist, they must develop tools for data collection and analysis of student learning outcomes. Here, we report a methodology for the development of a learning outcomes assessment instrument and statistical analysis of that instrument that can be undertaken in a short amount of time by a few faculty members with little to no funding. Our team of instructors at a public land-grant university developed an instrument for our single-semester nonmajors biochemistry course. The instrument consists of eight sets of multiple true/false questions assessing learning objectives covering topics within protein structure and function, thermodynamics, and metabolism. We employed the instrument as a pre- and postcourse evaluation for several semesters. We conducted statistical analyses on overall exam scores and on individual questions. The results indicate that between the beginning and the end of the semester students achieved statistically significant increases in their cumulative scores. Finer-grained analysis revealed that students displayed little to no improvement in specific content areas and concepts. These findings point to areas in need of pedagogical interventions.
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        Value: 10.1002/bmb.21913
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      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 9
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      – SubjectFull: Objective Tests
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      – SubjectFull: Learning Objectives
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      – SubjectFull: Thermodynamics
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      – SubjectFull: College Students
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      – TitleFull: Development and Analysis of a Learning Outcomes Assessment Instrument for a Single-Semester Nonmajors Biochemistry Course
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