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Results for “Scientific Communication and Education”

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bioRxiv2018

Four assessment methods to measure student gains in a graduate course on mathematical modeling in cell biology

The push for mathematics and quantitative skill development in biology is greater than ever before. The perceptions of these techniques are a barrier to their implementation on a grand scale. Methods to assess the efficacy of approaches to teaching quantitative skills are needed to determine if they effectively overcome social stereotypes and fears of math. In our project we study the effect of a mathematical modeling course in cell biology. We developed four assessments to understand if hands-on modeling increases student understanding of the concepts while simultaneously reducing fear of math. Two concept inventories track students learning gains both in general and specific knowledge to the course content. Two surveys quantify students quantitative confidence and opinions of the usefulness of these techniques in biology. We discuss the effectiveness of our methods and the implications for assessment development in mathematical biology education.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Redesign of an Undergraduate General Microbiology Lab to Include Authentic Discovery-Driven Research on Cucumber Fermentations

Many undergraduate introductory microbiology laboratory courses teach basic principles of bacteriology using classical protocol-based experiments, with limited critical thinking and inquiry-based learning practices. We initiated a comprehensive redesign in our General Microbiology Laboratory course to promote scientific critical and creative thinking, while strengthening core microbiology concepts and skills. As part of the redesign, a series of authentic discovery-driven labs, based on cucumber fermentations, were developed as an independent research module within the course curriculum. Integrating discovery-driven labs allowed students to be engaged problem solvers, applying the scientific process to develop hypotheses, design experiments, utilize quantitative reasoning, and effectively communicate results. The inquiry-guided research project was developed to evaluate the minimum concentration of salt (NaCl) required in fermentation brine to safely, and effectively, ferment cucumbers. Over 5 weeks, students assess different aspects of the fermentation process, including quantifying bacterial populations with differential and selective media, measuring pH and glucose concentration of brine solutions, and characterizing the microbial metabolic potential. Additionally, students isolate an unknown bacterium from their fermentations, identifying and characterizing the isolate using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolic tests. Throughout the research project, students collect, graph, and analyze their observations, culminating in students creating and presenting a scientific research poster. With this lab redesign, students generate new knowledge contributing to our understanding of microbial ecology within food fermentations, learn core microbiology skills and techniques, and develop critical and creative thinking skills. The impact of their research is valuable to science educators, researchers, and industry partners.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

The History, Advocacy and Efficacy of Data Management Plans

Data management plans (DMPs) have increasingly been encouraged as a key component of institutional and funding body policy. Although DMPs necessarily place administrative burden on researchers, proponents claim that DMPs have myriad benefits, including enhanced research data quality, increased rates of data sharing, and institutional planning and compliance benefits.\n\nIn this manuscript, we explore the international history of DMPs and describe institutional and funding body DMP policy. We find that economic and societal benefits from presumed increased rates of data sharing was the original driver of mandating DMPs by funding bodies. Today, 86% of UK Research Councils and 63% of US funding bodies require submission of a DMP with funding applications. Given that no major Australian funding bodies require DMP submission, it is of note that 37% of Australian universities have taken the initiative to internally mandate DMPs.\n\nInstitutions both within Australia and internationally frequently promote the professional benefits of DMP use, and endorse DMPs as best practice. We analyse one such typical DMP implementation at a major Australian institution, finding that DMPs have low levels of apparent translational value. Indeed, an extensive literature review suggests there is very limited published systematic evidence that DMP use has any tangible benefit for researchers, institutions or funding bodies.\n\nWe are therefore led to question why DMPs have become the go-to tool for research data professionals and advocates of good data practice. By delineating multiple use-cases and highlighting the need for DMPs to be fit for intended purpose, we question the view that a good DMP is necessarily that which encompasses the entire data lifecycle of a project. Finally, we summarise recent developments in the DMP landscape, and note a positive shift towards evidence-based research management through more researcher-centric, educative, and integrated DMP services.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Spikeling: a low-cost hardware implementation of a spiking neuron for neuroscience teaching and outreach.

Understanding of how neurons encode and compute information is fundamental to our study of the brain, but opportunities for hands-on experience with neurophysiological techniques on live neurons are scarce in science education. Here, we present Spikeling, an open source {pound}25 in silico implementation of a spiking neuron that mimics a wide range of neuronal behaviours for classroom education and public neuroscience outreach. Spikeling is based on an Arduino microcontroller running the computationally efficient Izhikevich model of a spiking neuron. The microcontroller is connected to input ports that simulate synaptic excitation or inhibition, dials controlling current injection and noise levels, a photodiode that makes Spikeling light-sensitive and an LED and speaker that allows spikes to be seen and heard. Output ports provide access to variables such as membrane potential for recording in experiments or digital signals that can be used to excite other connected Spikelings. These features allow for the intuitive exploration of the function of neurons and networks. We also report our experience of using Spikeling as a teaching tool for undergraduate and graduate neuroscience education in Nigeria and the UK.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Information and communication technology, mobile devices, and medical education

IntroductionInformation and communication technologies (ICT) are practical and highly available tools. In medical education, ICTs allow physicians to update their knowledge and remember the necessary information within reach of current mobile devices. ICTs as preparation tools for medical education have not been reported for medical students in Mexico. MethodologyTo assess the use of mobile devices as ICTs with medical education purposes, we distributed a questionnaire through an online survey management system to all the medical students (n=180) from a private university in Mexico City, 100% agreed to participate. We developed a questionnaire based on previous surveys and adapted it to our university. ResultsAll participants reported possession of an electronic mobile device, and 95% used it regularly for learning purposes. Regardless of the school year, the most frequent usage given to these devices was the search and reading of medical articles, the use of medical calculators, and taking notes. As the levels in career advances, there was a reduction in the use of electronic devices. According to the students, the main barriers towards using mobile devices for learning purposes were both the lack of access to the Internet and permission from the professor to use them. ConclusionMost medical students use mobile devices for learning purposes, but usage changes during their education. It is convenient to encourage the use of mobile devices and the development of ICT skills as tools for educational purposes rather than banning their use in schools and hospitals.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2017

Interactive Biology Cloud Lab Enables Authentic Inquiry-Based Science Learning At MOOC Scale

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and other national frameworks are calling for much more sophisticated approaches to STEM education, centered around the integration of complex experimentation (including real labs, not just simulations), data collection and analysis, modeling, and data-driven argumentation, i.e., students can behave like real scientists. How to implement such complex approaches in scalable ways is an unsolved challenge - both for presential and distance education. Here we report on the iterative design and large-scale deployment of an open online course with a \"biology cloud experimentation lab\" (using living cells) that engaged remote learners (> 300 students) in the scientific practices of experimentation, modeling and data analysis to investigate the phototaxis of a microorganism. We demonstrate (1) the robustness and scalability of the cloud lab technology (> 2, 300 experiments run), (2) the design principles and synergistic integration of multiple UI and learning activities and suitable data formats to facilitate NGSS-aligned science activities, and (3) design features that leverages the natural variability of real biology experiments to instigate authentic inquiry. This platform and course content are now suited for large-scale adaptation in formal K-16 education; and we provide recommendations for inquiry-based science learning in general.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

A Cross-Platform Comparison of Student’s Perceptions of the Learning Environment in an Introductory Microbiology Course

AbstractStudents positive perceptions of the learning environment increase retention and persistence in STEM disciplines. This study presents results from a Learning Environment Questionnaire administered at the beginning and end of the semester in a redesigned general/introductory microbiology course offered in traditional lecture, flipped and online sections. Split-sample t-tests and chi-squared tests were used for cross-section and within section analyses, respectively. The findings support the study hypothesis that student perceptions of the learning environment will vary as a function of platform. This work demonstrates the additional effect of the time in the semester when students complete the questionnaire and this effect on students perceptions over the course of the semester relative to their initial perceptions. The results of this study offer insight on student perceptions of the learning environment as universities embrace online education in introductory and gateway courses as a response to rising student enrollments and diminishing resources.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Using vocational education to provide development solutions in the Pacific: An emphasis on climate change and health

This article reports on the results of the EU PacTVET project, which explored the use of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to provide a better understanding on the development solution for the impact of climate change on human health in the region. It describes the findings of a 2014-2018 project on the use of vocational education to provide development solutions in the Pacific with an emphasis on climate change and health. An exploratory design was used to investigate how vocational education developed solutions for climate change and health in the 15 Pacific - African Caribbean and Pacific (P-ACP) countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Information collected via personal communication with relevant stakeholders, qualitative interviews, documents review, and survey (n=48) of youths and young women in Fiji. Data analysis was performed using thematic analytical strategy and frequency analysis. The study found that vocational education plays a significant role in building the capacity of people to become more sustainable and resilient in their life now and in the future. Also, getting an accredited qualification on health resilience and/or job in the health sector may help them to respond effectively and efficiently in the event of climate change and/or disasters caused by natural hazards. The same factors were explored quantitatively using descriptive analytical strategy, and concluded TVET education, to have a positive influence on climate change and health. As a result, vocational education could provide development solutions for health adaptation in the Pacific. These results indicate global actions for vocational education, that would perfect the course of resilience for these 15 P-ACP in the Pacific and alike in the U.S.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2017

Three Decades as an NSF REU Site: Lessons and Recommendations

NSFs Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports thousands of undergraduate researchers annually. REU sites operate independently with regards to their research mission and structure, leading to a complex educational milieu distinct from traditional classrooms and labs. Overall, REU sites are perceived as providing highly formative experiences for developing researchers. However, given improved assessment practices over REUs three decades, best practices for student learning and evaluation of long-term impacts remain limited. To address this limitation, we recommend the use of systems-based theoretical frameworks when studying REU programs. We outline how one such framework, cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT), could inform the collection of assessment data. Among other strengths, CHAT guides collection of quantitative and qualitative information that can help characterize REU programs in an educationally meaningful context. Adoption of CHAT and similar approaches by REU Sites could improve dialogue among programs, encourage collaborations, and improve evidence-based practices.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Improving Children’s and Their Visitors’ Hand Hygiene Compliance

BackgroundNumerous interventions have tried to improve healthcare workers hand hygiene compliance, however little attention has been paid to childrens and their visitors compliance.\n\nAimTo increase childrens and visitors compliance using interactive educational interventions.\n\nMethodsThis was an observational study of hand hygiene compliance before and after the introduction of educational interventions. Qualitative data in the form of Questionnaires and interviews was obtained.\n\nFindingsHand hygiene compliance increased by 21.4% (P <0.001) following the educational interventions, with childrens compliance reaching 40.8% and visitors being 50.8%. Compliance varied depending on which of the [fi]ve moments of hygiene was observed (P<0.001), with the highest compliance after body [fl]uid exposure (96%). Responses from questionnaires showed educational interventions raised awareness of the importance of hand hygiene (69%, 57%) compared to those who had not experienced the educational intervention (50%).\n\nConclusionEducational interventions may result in a significant increase in childrens and visitors hand hygiene (P <0.001).

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Policy driven changes in animal research practices: mapping researchers’ attitudes towards animal-free innovations using the Netherlands as an example

Reducing the number of animals used in experiments has become a priority for the governments of many countries. For these reductions to occur, animal-free alternatives must be made more available and, crucially, must be embraced by researchers. We conducted an international online survey for academics in the field of animal science (N=367) to explore researchers attitudes towards the implementation of animal-free innovations.\n\nThrough this survey we address three key questions. The first question is whether scientists who use animals in their research consider governmental goals for animal-free innovations achievable and whether they would support such goals. Secondly, responders were asked to rank the importance of ten roadblocks that could hamper the implementation of animal-free innovations. Finally, responders were asked whether they would migrate (either themselves or their research) if increased animal research regulations in their country of residence restricted their research. While nearly half (40%) of the responders support governmental goals, the majority (71%) of researchers did not consider such goals achievable in their field within the near future. In terms of roadblocks for implementation of animal-free methods, [~]80% of the responders considered reliability as important, making it the most highly ranked roadblock. However, all other roadblocks were reported by the majority of responders as somewhat important, suggesting that they must also be considered when addressing animal-free innovations. Importantly, a majority reported that they would consider migration to another country in response to restrictive animal research policy. Thus, governments must consider the risk of researchers migrating to other institutes, states or countries, leading to a brain-drain if policies are too strict or suitable animal-free alternatives are not available. Our findings suggest that development and implementation of animal-free innovations are hampered by multiple factors. We outline three pillars concerning education, governmental influence and data sharing, the implementation of which may help to overcome these roadblocks to animal-free innovations.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

The role of climate change education on individual lifetime carbon emissions

Strategies to mitigate climate change often center on clean technologies such as electric vehicles and solar panels, while the mitigation potential of a quality educational experience is rarely discussed. In this paper, we investigate the long-term impact that an intensive one-year university course had on individual carbon emissions by surveying students at least five years after having taken the course. A majority of course graduates reported pro-environmental decisions (i.e., type of car to buy, food choices) that can be attributed to experiences gained in the course. Furthermore, our carbon footprint analysis demonstrates that for the average course graduate, these decisions reduced their individual carbon emissions by 2.86 tons of CO2 per year. Focus group interviews identify that course graduates have developed a strong personal connection to climate change solutions, and this is realized in their daily behaviors and through their professional careers. The paper discusses in more detail the specific components of the course that are believed to be most impactful, and it shares preliminary outcomes from similar curriculum designs that are being used with K-12 students. Our analysis also demonstrates that if similar education programs were applied at scale, the potential reductions in carbon emissions would be of similar magnitude to other large-scale mitigation strategies such as rooftop solar or electric vehicles.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Research challenges in Africa - an exploratory study on the experiences and opinions of African researchers

BackgroundInsufficient research is a major impediment to growth, development and advancement of health in Africa. Africa produces less than 1% of global research output. Meanwhile, African countries face some of the toughest challenges worldwide, most of which can only be tackled through robust and efficient research. Addressing the barriers to conducting research in Africa is a step towards improving research capacity and output. This study aimed to identify the key challenges affecting research practice and output in Africa; and to highlight priority areas for improvement.\n\nMethodsA cross-sectional survey was administered through an online questionnaire, including participants from six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants included research professionals, research students, research groups and academics.\n\nResultsA total of 424 participants responded to this survey. The ability to conduct and produce high-quality research was seen to be influenced by multiple factors, most of which were related to the research environment in African countries. Priority areas for improvement included providing more training, raising awareness on the importance of research in Africa, encouraging governments to commit to research and increasing collaboration between researchers in Africa.\n\nConclusionThe conditions under which research is done in Africa are severely flawed and do not encourage engagement in research, or continuity of research activity. African governments need to develop initiatives that accelerate and support research and research-based education in Africa, in order to build a solid foundation for research, increase research capacity, and enable institutions to provide valuable training and develop sustainable research opportunities in Africa.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2017

The CURE for Culturing Fastidious Microbes

Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) expand the scientific educational benefits of research to large groups of students in a course setting. As part of an ongoing effort to integrate CUREs into first-year biology labs, we developed a microbiology CURE (mCURE) that uses a modified dilution-to-extinction high throughput culturing protocol for isolating abundant yet fastidious aquatic bacterioplankton during one semester. Students learn common molecular biology techniques like nucleic acid extraction, PCR, and molecular characterization; read and evaluate scientific literature; and receive training in scientific communication through written and oral exercises that incorporate social media elements. In the first three semesters, the mCUREs achieved similar cultivability success as implementation of the protocol in a standard laboratory setting. Our modular framework facilitates customization of the curriculum for use in multiple settings and we provide classroom exercises, assignments, assessment tools, and examples of student output to assist with implementation.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

A survey of public attitudes towards third-party reproduction in Japan in 2014

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine public attitudes towards third-party reproduction and the disclosure of conception through third-party reproduction.\n\nMethods: We conducted the web-based survey for the public attitude towards third-party reproduction in February 2014. Twenty-five hundred people were recruited with equal segregation of age (20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s) and gender. We analyzed the association between gender, age, infertility, and ethical view using a questionnaire regarding donor sperm, donor oocyte, donor embryo, gestational surrogacy, and disclosure to offspring.\n\nResults: Of the respondents, 36.2% approved and 26.6% disapproved with gamete or embryo donation. The frequency of those who approved was the lowest in females in the 50-59 years age group, and was significantly higher in males or females with infertility. Secondly, 40.9% approved and 21.8% disapproved with gestational surrogacy. The frequency of those who approved gestational surrogacy was higher in males or females with infertility. Thirdly, 46.3% of respondents agreed and 20.4% disagreed with \"offspring have the right to know their origin\". Those who disagreed were primarily in the 50-59 age group of both genders, and disagreement was significantly higher in the infertility group compared with non-infertility group.\n\nConclusion: In this study, public attitudes were affected by gender, age, and experience of infertility. These study findings are important in understanding the attitude towards third-party reproduction and disclosure to the offspring. Respondents having indecisive attitudes were >30%, which might indicate an increased requirement for information and education to enhance the discussion on the ethical consensus on third-party reproduction in Japan.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Applying Inter-rater Reliability to Improve Consistency in Classifying PhD Career Outcomes

In the past year, there has been an exciting groundswell of national efforts to integrate multiple taxonomies for the transparent dissemination and analysis of PhD career outcomes. In this study, we leveraged the unique resources of the Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training Consortium to examine the reliability of the three-tiered Unified Career Outcomes Taxonomy (UCOT v.2017) that was collaboratively developed at a meeting convened by Rescuing Biomedical Research in August 2017. Using an amended version of the UCOT v.2017 (UCOT v.2017-rev1) and a new Supplementary Guidance document, we categorized over 570 PhD alumni records from three different universities. Utilizing Krippendorffs alpha to measure the interrater reliability from nine different individuals, we determined moderate to robust reproducibility within the first two tiers of the taxonomy (Workforce Sector and Career Type); however, the reliability for the third tier (Job Function) did not meet established standards. The team identified significant sources of error, revised category definitions, improved coder training materials and processes, and tested for improved reliability through coding 219 PhD alumni records using the revised taxonomy, UCOT v.2017-rev2. Our results revealed that the changes introduced in UCOT v.2017-rev2 improved inter-rater reliability in all three tiers, and either met or exceeded the acceptable standards for reliability. A final set of clarifications were made to UCOT v.2017-rev2, resulting in UCOT v.2018 and a Finalized Guidance document. Our findings underscore the importance of carefully developing guidance documents to aid coders in the reliable and consistent categorization of alumni career outcomes. We propose periodic assessment of the UCOT v.2018 to address the natural evolution of PhD careers in the global workforce. Ultimately, we hope that UCOT v.2018 will aid in the classification and dissemination of alumni career outcomes that is essential to educating trainees, institutions, and agencies about the diversity of career options for PhDs, and therein empower all PhDs to pursue the careers of their choice.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2017

Creating a Community of Data Champions

Research Data Management (RDM) presents an unusual challenge for service providers in Higher Education. There is increased awareness of the need for training in this area but the nature of discipline-specific practices involved make it difficult to provide training across a multi-disciplinary organisation. Whilst most UK universities now have a research data team of some description, they are often small and rarely have the resources necessary to provide targeted training to the different disciplines and research career stages that they are increasingly expected to support.\n\nThis practice paper describes the approach taken at the University of Cambridge to address this problem by creating a community of Data Champions. This collaborative initiative, working with researchers to provide training and advocacy for good RDM practice, allows for more discipline-specific training to be given, researchers to be credited for their expertise and an opportunity for those interested in RDM to exchange knowledge with others. The community of practice model has been used in many sectors, including Higher Education, to facilitate collaboration across organisational units and this initiative will adopt some of the same principles to improve communication across a decentralised institution. The Data Champions initiative at Cambridge was launched in September 2016 and this paper reports on the early months, plans for building the community in the future and the possible risks associated with this approach to providing RDM services.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2018

Health-seeking behavior and associated factors among community in Southern Ethiopia: Community based cross-sectional study guided by Health belief model.

BackgroundHealth-seeking behavior is a sequence of actions taken to promote health and prevent disease. Governments expenditure to health is being improved in Ethiopia. In contrast, high disease burden and low health service utilization is observed. The low health service utilization could be due to low health-seeking behavior of the community. Thus, this studywas aimed to determine the level of health-seeking behavior and associated factors in Hosanna town, Southern Ethiopia.\n\nMethodsWe used communitybased cross-sectional study design among community (n= 443) in Hosanna town. The overall health-seeking behavior of study participants was assessed using the mean score of each of the dimensions (health promotion and disease prevention activities) as a cut-off value. Having a score above the mean on each of the target dimensions was equated with having a high level of health seeking behaviour. STATA 12 soft-ware package (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, 77845, USA)was used for descriptive and logistic regression analysis.\n\nResultsAbout eighty five percent of (85.4%) participants had low level of health-seeking behavior. Males were about two folds more likely to have low level of health-seeking behavior than females (AOR: 1.8; CI 1.03-3.42). Widowed participants were about five times more likely to have low health-seeking behavior (AOR: 4.8; CI 2.1-17.1) when compared to married participants. Those participants who are illiterate were about five times more likely to have low health-seeking behavior than who completed higher education (AOR: 4.5; CI 1.16-17.8).\n\nConclusionThe study revealed low health-seeking behavior among the study participants in the study area. This finding suggested the need forurgent interventions to the health literacy packages of Ethiopia to enhance the health seeking behavior of the country.

scientific communication and education↗