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Performance measures of racially underrepresented Ph.D. students in biomedical sciences: The UAMS IMSD Program
Tremaine B Williams1, Latrina Y Prince1, Antiño R Allen2
1Graduate School, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America.
Plos One
|February 8, 2021
Summary
This study examined performance measures for racially underrepresented minority Ph.D. trainees. Findings suggest reducing reliance on GRE scores for admissions and identifying better predictors of success in biomedical science careers.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Higher Education
- Student Development
Background:
- Racially underrepresented minorities (RUM) often require additional support to complete biomedical science Ph.D. programs.
- The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) program aims to support RUM trainees.
- Understanding performance metrics is crucial for improving RUM student outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key performance measures for RUM Ph.D. trainees.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of training initiatives for RUM students.
- To inform admissions and support strategies for biomedical science graduate programs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 37 RUM trainees in the UAMS IMSD program over 10 years.
- Descriptive statistics and correlational analyses of process (GRE, GPA) and outcome (time-to-degree, publications) measures.
- Comparison of performance between students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs).
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in Ph.D. completion performance between HBCU and PWI graduates.
- Lower verbal GRE scores correlated with higher GPAs for HBCU graduates.
- Lower quantitative GRE scores correlated with more publications for PWI graduates.
Conclusions:
- The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) may not be a reliable predictor of success for all RUM trainees.
- There is a need for psychometrically valid alternative indicators for assessing biomedical scientist career readiness.
- Admissions committees should reconsider the weight of GRE scores and explore more tailored assessment tools.