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Building Authentic Science Experiences: Students' Perceptions of Sequential Course-Based Undergraduate Research
Bailey M Von der Mehden1, Eric M Pennino2, Heather L Fajardo2
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996.
CBE Life Sciences Education
|October 13, 2023
Summary
Students in advanced biology courses reported more authentic research experiences and independence in Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs). Early-stage students perceived less authenticity, highlighting the importance of scaffolded CUREs.
Area of Science:
- Biology Education Research
- Undergraduate Research
- Curriculum Development
Background:
- Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) offer scalable research opportunities for undergraduates, particularly at teaching-focused institutions.
- The Sustainable Interdisciplinary Research to Inspire Undergraduate Success (SIRIUS) project integrates scaffolded CUREs across a biology curriculum, addressing local real-world problems.
- This approach aims to provide all biology majors with progressive engagement in scientific inquiry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate students' perceptions of research authenticity within a scaffolded CURE program.
- To explore how authenticity perceptions evolve as students advance through introductory, intermediate, and advanced biology courses.
- To understand the role of independence and failure experiences in shaping authenticity perceptions.
Main Methods:
- A mixed methods, cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Data were collected using two triangulated instruments to assess student perceptions.
- The study focused on students within the SIRIUS CUREs at a primarily undergraduate institution.
Main Results:
- Students in advanced courses reported higher perceived involvement in research activities and greater authenticity compared to introductory and intermediate students.
- Intermediate and advanced students perceived more opportunities for independence.
- Experiences with failure and their impact on authenticity perceptions were most prominent among advanced students.
Conclusions:
- Scaffolded CUREs, like the SIRIUS project, can enhance students' perceptions of research authenticity and independence as they progress through their major.
- The findings suggest that advanced coursework within CUREs is crucial for students to fully engage with and perceive the authenticity of scientific research.
- This study provides valuable insights into CURE effectiveness at minority-serving, primarily undergraduate institutions.
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