An effective multi-site course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) implemented by early adopters
Faculty Mentor
Bo Idsardi and Jenifer Walke
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
10-5-2023 11:35 AM
End Date
10-5-2023 11:55 AM
Location
PUB 317
Department
Biology
Abstract
CUREs are an effective approach for providing research opportunities to undergraduate students. However, the implementation of CUREs across multiple institutions is still under-researched. The North American Bsal Task Force’s Surveillance and Monitoring Working Group developed a CURE called the Student Network for Amphibian Pathogen Surveillance (SNAPS). We used Roger's Diffusion of Innovations as a theoretical framework to study the cognitive and affective outcomes of early adopters of SNAPS. Seventy students participated in the CURE across nine institutions. Data were collected using pre- and post-surveys. Paired t-tests showed that the SNAPS CURE was effective in improving students’ self-efficacy, content knowledge, knowledge of field sampling methods, self-reported content knowledge, and self-reported knowledge of field sampling methods. Changes in students' self-reported knowledge of field sampling methods differed by institution but other outcomes were consistent across the nine institutions. Changes in students' content knowledge during the CURE differed based on students' demographics and class standing. Other outcomes were consistent across student demographics and class standing. Our findings suggest that a multi-institutional CURE program can be successfully scaled-up while promoting undergraduate research in STEM fields. Positive outcomes of early adopters’ implementation of CUREs can persuade additional faculty to adopt this model of instruction.
Recommended Citation
Perez, Jennifer, "An effective multi-site course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) implemented by early adopters" (2023). 2023 Symposium. 6.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2023/res_2023/os1_2023/6
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
An effective multi-site course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) implemented by early adopters
PUB 317
CUREs are an effective approach for providing research opportunities to undergraduate students. However, the implementation of CUREs across multiple institutions is still under-researched. The North American Bsal Task Force’s Surveillance and Monitoring Working Group developed a CURE called the Student Network for Amphibian Pathogen Surveillance (SNAPS). We used Roger's Diffusion of Innovations as a theoretical framework to study the cognitive and affective outcomes of early adopters of SNAPS. Seventy students participated in the CURE across nine institutions. Data were collected using pre- and post-surveys. Paired t-tests showed that the SNAPS CURE was effective in improving students’ self-efficacy, content knowledge, knowledge of field sampling methods, self-reported content knowledge, and self-reported knowledge of field sampling methods. Changes in students' self-reported knowledge of field sampling methods differed by institution but other outcomes were consistent across the nine institutions. Changes in students' content knowledge during the CURE differed based on students' demographics and class standing. Other outcomes were consistent across student demographics and class standing. Our findings suggest that a multi-institutional CURE program can be successfully scaled-up while promoting undergraduate research in STEM fields. Positive outcomes of early adopters’ implementation of CUREs can persuade additional faculty to adopt this model of instruction.
