Research skills and STEM undergraduate research students' aspirations for research careers: Mediating effects of research self-efficacy

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 940-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omolola A. Adedokun ◽  
Ann B. Bessenbacher ◽  
Loran C. Parker ◽  
Lisa L. Kirkham ◽  
Wilella D. Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
Research Skills ◽  
Research Careers ◽  
Research Students

scholarly journals Student Outcomes From a Large-Enrollment Introductory Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience on Soil Microbiomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley M. Lo ◽  
Bryan D. Le
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Research Skills ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Mathematics Majors ◽  
Large Enrollment ◽  
And Mathematics

In recent years, national reports have called for undergraduate laboratory education that engages students in authentic research experiences. As a result, a number of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have been developed in biological sciences and some specifically in microbiology. Students benefit from CUREs much like in traditional mentored research experiences, where students carry out independent projects in faculty laboratories. These benefits include increased self-efficacy in research skills, enhanced identification as scientists, and higher graduation rates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors. Because mentored research experiences are not readily available to every student, CUREs represent a potential mechanism to democratize the research experience by providing such opportunities to all students. However, many of existing CUREs described in the literature are designed for advanced undergraduates or are limited to a small number of students. Here, we report student outcomes from a large-enrollment introductory CURE on soil microbiomes that engages students in a real-world context with microbiology. In pre- and post-course surveys, students reported significant gains in self-efficacy on a number of research skills. These results are triangulated with post-course survey data on project ownership, sense of community, and CURE design elements such as collaboration, iteration, discovery, and relevance.

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