Introducing Experimental Design Concepts Improves Biochemistry Undergraduates' Experimental Laboratory Competence and...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry Education
• Undergraduate Laboratory Science

Background:

• Traditional laboratory courses often use fail-safe protocols, limiting opportunities for students to develop critical experimental design skills.
• Developing experimental design capabilities is crucial for scientific training but is often underdeveloped in standard lab curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of incorporating experimental design elements into an undergraduate biochemistry laboratory course.
• To assess improvements in students' experimental laboratory competence and confidence using a guided inquiry model.

Main Methods:

• Implemented experimental design components within a second-year undergraduate biochemistry laboratory setting.
• Employed a guided inquiry teaching model to facilitate student learning and engagement with experimental design.

Main Results:

• Students demonstrated significant improvements in their ability to critically assess laboratory methods, design experiments, and adapt protocols.
• Both self-perceived and externally measured experimental laboratory competence and confidence increased notably.
• Undergraduates reported increased enjoyment and engagement with the experimental design aspects of the laboratory.

Conclusions:

• Integrating experimental design into undergraduate biochemistry labs effectively enhances students' practical skills and confidence.
• Guided inquiry models are beneficial for fostering cognitive abilities related to experimental design in laboratory science education.
• This pedagogical approach leads to a more engaging and effective learning experience for students in biochemistry laboratories.