Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
10:17
Improving Student Outcomes with an Adaptable Molecular Cloning Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience
Published on: November 15, 2024
Development and evaluation of a peer-tutoring program for graduate students*
H Liesel Copeland1, Terri Goss Kinzy
1University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Public Health, Health Education and Behavioral Science Division, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854.
Summary
Graduate student peer tutoring effectively supports students in interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs by improving academic performance and perceived benefits. This NIH-funded initiative enhanced student preparation and success in core coursework.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Graduate Education
- Academic Support
Background:
- Interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs often admit students with diverse educational backgrounds.
- Varied student preparation necessitates academic support strategies for foundational curriculum.
- A peer tutoring program was initiated to address these preparation gaps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To pilot and evaluate a graduate student peer tutoring program.
- To assess the impact of peer tutoring on academic performance and student perceptions.
- To understand the process and motivators of a peer tutoring initiative.
Main Methods:
- A peer tutoring program was implemented for the Molecular Biosciences Ph.D. program.
- Tutoring was offered individually and in small groups.
- Program evaluation involved surveys, interviews, and analysis of first-year core course exam scores.
Main Results:
- The peer tutoring program demonstrated growth in student participation and tutoring hours over five years.
- Surveys and interviews indicated perceived benefits and motivators for both tutors and students.
- Analysis of exam scores showed changes in academic performance for students participating in tutoring.
Conclusions:
- Graduate student peer tutoring is a viable and effective academic support strategy.
- The program positively impacts student preparation and success in graduate coursework.
- Peer tutoring initiatives can be successfully scaled and sustained in Ph.D. programs.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Comparing Experimental Results: Student's t-Test
The t-test is a statistical method used to compare the sample mean with a population mean or compare two means from two data sets. The test statistic is calculated from the standard deviation, mean, and number of measurements in the data set at a selected confidence interval and then compared to a table of critical values at this confidence level. If the test statistic is smaller than the critical value, the null hypothesis is accepted. In this case, we state that the difference between the...
00:46Trophic Efficiency
Trophic level transfer efficiency (TLTE) is a measure of the total energy transfer from one trophic level to the next. Due to extensive energy loss as metabolic heat, an average of only 10% of the original energy obtained is passed on to the next level. This pattern of energy loss severely limits the possible number of trophic levels in a food chain.
01:30Community Based Intervention
Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:29Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
The Self-Evaluation Maintenance (SEM) model offers a psychological framework to understand how individuals’ self-esteem is influenced by the achievements of others, particularly those with whom they share close personal bonds. The SEM model operates when personal rather than social identity guides individuals. Central to this model is the notion that individuals have an inherent desire to preserve a favorable self-image, which is continuously shaped by interpersonal comparisons and...
01:20Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching III: Evaluation and Documentation
Evaluation of the teaching process enables the nurse to determine if the patient's learning needs were met and if training was effective. If the expected outcomes are not met, the care plan is revised, and additional education or reinforcement is provided. Nurses can ask questions after the session or obtain feedback to assess the patient's understanding of the topic.
Nurses can use several methods to evaluate patient outcomes. For example, oral questions can assess cognitive learning, patient...
Nurses can use several methods to evaluate patient outcomes. For example, oral questions can assess cognitive learning, patient...