Learning our L.I.M.I.T.S.: less is more in teaching science

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally G. Hoskins ◽  
Leslie M. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Undergraduate Biology ◽  
Less Is More ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Linear String ◽  
Analyze Data

The rapid and accelerating pace of change in physiology and cell biology, along with the easy access to huge amounts of content, have altered the playing field for science students, yet most students are still mainly taught from textbooks. Of necessity, textbooks are usually broad in scope, cover topics much more superficially than do journal articles, and present the scientific process as a linear string of successful experiments, largely ignoring the reality of rejected hypotheses, unanticipated discoveries, or surprising findings that may shift paradigms. We suggest that a more narrow focus on scientific thinking, using a new method for reading a series of journal articles that track the evolution of a single project over a period of years, can more realistically convey the excitement and challenges of research science and perhaps stimulate some students to consider research careers for themselves. Our approach, termed “CREATE” (for Consider, Read, Elucidate hypotheses, Analyze data, and Think of the next Experiment), has proven successful at both demystifying the scientific literature and humanizing science/scientists in undergraduate biology courses ( 8 ), and we suggest that it could be profitably expanded to physiology courses.

scholarly journals Information Literacy in Biology Education: An Example from an Advanced Cell Biology Course

2005 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Porter
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Biology Education ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Undergraduate Biology ◽  
Information Literacy Skills ◽  
Subject Areas ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
A Current

Information literacy skills are critically important for the undergraduate biology student. The ability to find, understand, evaluate, and use information, whether from the scientific literature or from Web resources, is essential for a good understanding of a topic and for the conduct of research. A project in which students receive information literacy instruction and then proceed to select, update, and write about a current research topic in an upper-level cell biology course is described. Students research the chosen topic using paper and electronic resources, generate a list of relevant articles, prepare abstracts based on papers read, and, finally, prepare a“ state-of-the-art” paper on the topic. This approach, which extends over most of one semester, has resulted in a number of well-researched and well-written papers that incorporate some of the latest research in cell biology. The steps in this project have also led to students who are prepared to address future projects on new and complex topics. The project is part of an undergraduate course in cell biology, but parts of the assignments can be modified to fit a variety of subject areas and levels.

scholarly journals Medicinal plants and natural products can play a significant role in mitigation of mercury toxicity

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjib Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Scientific Journal ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Literature Survey ◽  
Mercury Toxicity ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Effective Agent ◽  
Clinical Investigations

Abstract Mercury is a heavy metal of considerable toxicity. Scientific literature reveals various plants and plant derived natural products, i.e., phytochemicals, which can alleviate experimentally induced mercury toxicity in animals. The present review attempts to collate those experimental studies on medicinal plants and phytochemicals with ameliorative effects on mercury toxicity. A literature survey was carried out by using Google, Scholar Google, Scopus and Pub-Med. Only the scientific journal articles found in the internet for the last two decades (1998–2018) were considered. Minerals and semi-synthetic or synthetic analogs of natural products were excluded. The literature survey revealed that in pre-clinical studies 27 medicinal plants and 27 natural products exhibited significant mitigation from mercury toxicity in experimental animals. Clinical investigations were not found in the literature. Admissible research in this area could lead to development of a potentially effective agent from the plant kingdom for clinical management of mercury toxicity in humans.

scholarly journals Development of the BioCalculus Assessment (BCA)

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. ar6
Author(s):  
Robin T. Taylor ◽  
Pamela R. Bishop ◽  
Suzanne Lenhart ◽  
Louis J. Gross ◽  
Kelly Sturner
Keyword(s):  
Life Science ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Large Network ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Undergraduate Biology ◽  
Validity Assessment ◽  
Learning Success ◽  
Evidential Support ◽  
Calculus Instruction ◽  
The Rasch Model

We describe the development and initial validity assessment of the 20-item BioCalculus Assessment (BCA), with the objective of comparing undergraduate life science students’ understanding of calculus concepts in different courses with alternative emphases (with and without focus on biological applications). The development process of the BCA included obtaining input from a large network of scientists and educators as well as students in calculus and biocalculus courses to accumulate evidential support of the instrument’s content validity and response processes of test takers. We used the Rasch model to examine the internal structure of scores from students who have experienced calculus instruction in the two methods. The analysis involved three populations (Calculus 1, Calculus 2, and Biocalculus) for which the Calc 1 and Calc 2 students were not exposed to calculus concepts in a life science setting, while the Biocalculus students were presented concepts explicitly with a life science emphasis. Overall, our findings indicate that the BCA has reasonable validity properties, providing a diagnostic tool to assess the relative learning success and calculus comprehension of undergraduate biology majors from alternative methods of instruction that do or do not emphasize life science examples.

scholarly journals Consensus Procedures in Oncological Imaging: The Case of Prostate Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Fanti ◽  
Wim Oyen ◽  
Elisabetta Lalumera
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Consensus Building ◽  
Imaging Procedures ◽  
Scientific Societies ◽  
Imaging Procedure

Recently, there has been increasing interest in methodological aspects of advanced imaging, including the role of guidelines, recommendations, and experts’ consensus, the practice of self-referral, and the risk of diagnostic procedure overuse. In a recent Delphi study of the European Association for Nuclear Medicine (EANM), panelists were asked to give their opinion on 47 scientific questions about imaging in prostate cancer. Nine additional questions exploring the experts’ attitudes and opinions relating to the procedure of consensus building itself were also included. The purpose was to provide insights into the mechanism of recommendation choice and consensus building as seen from the experts’ point of view. Results: Regarding the factors likely to influence the willingness to refer a patient for imaging, the most voted were incorporation into guidelines and data from scientific literature, while personal experience and personal relationship were chosen by a small minority. Regarding the recommendations more relevant to prescribe an imaging procedure, it resulted the incorporation into guidelines promoted by scientific societies (59% of votes); these guidelines also resulted the more trusted. With respect to patients’ preferences considered when prescribing an imaging procedure, the most voted was accuracy, resulted more important than easy access and time to access to the procedure. The majority of the experts expressed the opinion that there is a scarce use of imaging procedures in prostate cancer. With respect to the most relevant factor to build consensus, it resulted the transparency of the process (52% of votes), followed by multidisciplinarity of contributors. The main obstacle to incorporation of modern imaging procedures into guidelines resulted the lack of primary literature on clinical impact. Conclusions: Firstly, the panelists portray themselves as having Evidence-Based Medicine oriented and scientifically inclined attitudes and preferences. Secondly, guidelines and recommendations from scientific societies, especially clinical ones, are positively taken into account as factors influencing decisions, but panelists tend to consider their own appraisal of the scientific literature as more relevant. Thirdly, in respect of overuse, panelists do not think that advanced diagnostic procedures are overutilized in the specific case of Prostate Cancer, but rather they are underutilized.

scholarly journals Evolving Strategies for the Incorporation of Bioinformatics Within the Undergraduate Cell Biology Curriculum

2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 233-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry E. Honts
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Undergraduate Biology ◽  
Biology Students ◽  
Introductory Course ◽  
Sequence Analysis Tool ◽  
Biology Curriculum ◽  
Simple Sequence

Recent advances in genomics and structural biology have resulted in an unprecedented increase in biological data available from Internet-accessible databases. In order to help students effectively use this vast repository of information, undergraduate biology students at Drake University were introduced to bioinformatics software and databases in three courses, beginning with an introductory course in cell biology. The exercises and projects that were used to help students develop literacy in bioinformatics are described. In a recently offered course in bioinformatics, students developed their own simple sequence analysis tool using the Perl programming language. These experiences are described from the point of view of the instructor as well as the students. A preliminary assessment has been made of the degree to which students had developed a working knowledge of bioinformatics concepts and methods. Finally, some conclusions have been drawn from these courses that may be helpful to instructors wishing to introduce bioinformatics within the undergraduate biology curriculum.

scholarly journals PERILAKU MAHASISWA ILMU PERPUSTAKAAN UIN SUNAN KALIJAGA YOGYAKARTA DALAM MENYIKAPI HOAKS DI MEDIA SOSIAL

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Silmi Afkarina Hanum ◽  
Anis Masruri
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Information Filtering ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Cultural Science ◽  
Share Information

This study aims to determine the behavioral stages of students in responding to hoaxes, which are increasingly rampant due to the easy access to information that is widely available on social media so that there is no information filtering system when information is disseminated on social media. Social media is a virtual social place between individuals, to share information with each other. The subjects of this study were students major of library science, faculty of civil and cultural science State Islamic University of Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. The Major of Library Science has contributed to the development of information literacy in Indonesia. Information literacy consists of searching, analyzing and finding the information needed. This research uses descriptive qualitative research methods. Techniques for determining informants using purposive sampling or non-random techniques. There are 16 students of the Library Science study program who are included in the category of research informants. The research method was carried out by interview and documentation. Researchers gave several questions to informants regarding information and hoaxes circulating on social media. Then the informants analyzed the information on social media, and distinguished valid and hoax information. The results showed that the behavioral stages of Library Science students at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta in responding to hoax information on social media were 1. Students searched for news on social media, 2. Students looked at posted news accounts / sources, 3. Students paid attention to synchronization of titles and contents. news, 4. Students check the validity of the news by means of; a. see the comments column, b. double check, and c. crosscheck.

scholarly journals Racism: A Part of History That Has Never Been Lost

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-223
Author(s):  
Farras Kartika Kusumadewi ◽  
Moses Glorino Rumambo Pandin
Keyword(s):  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Racial Conflict ◽  
Racial Conflicts ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
Main Thing ◽  
Asian People ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Analyze Data

There have been many cases of racism in its history that have occurred from ancient times to the present. Many factors cause racial conflicts. Factors that often trigger these actions, among others, are due to injustice, oppression, and racial discrimination by certain groups against other groups. In America itself, the era of slavery was a dark period in American history. This article aims to find out the impact and solutions to the problem of racism in general. How to find out the impact and solution to the problem of racism is to examine some of the cases that have occurred recently. The method used in this research is qualitative-descriptive with a literature review method to analyze data with 20 sources from books, journal articles, theses and websites. The findings of this study reveal that cases of racism still occur today, for example, last year because of the COVID-19 problem that initially occurred in Wuhan, China, Asian people received hatred from citizens and Western media. There are many factors that cause racial conflict, and the triggers vary in each country that experiences it, among others, because of injustice, oppression, and racial discrimination by certain groups against other groups. Through cases of racism that have occurred, one thing that according to the researcher can be concluded is how before the conflict between groups occurred, actually it started from problems that occurred between individuals. Tolerance is the main thing to stem this kind of thing.

scholarly journals Access to scientific literature by the conservation community

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9404
Author(s):  
Daisy Larios ◽  
Thomas M. Brooks ◽  
Nicholas B.W. Macfarlane ◽  
Sugoto Roy
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hard Copy ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Do So

Access to the scientific literature is perceived to be a challenge to the biodiversity conservation community, but actual level of literature access relative to needs has never been assessed globally. We examined this question by surveying the constituency of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a proxy for the conservation community, generating 2,285 responses. Of these respondents, ∼97% need to use the scientific literature in order to support their IUCN-related conservation work, with ∼50% needing to do so at least once per week. The crux of the survey revolved around the question, “How easy is it for you currently to obtain the scientific literature you need to carry out your IUCN-related work?” and revealed that roughly half (49%) of the respondents find it not easy or not at all easy to access scientific literature. We fitted a binary logistic regression model to explore factors predicting ease of literature access. Whether the respondent had institutional literature access (55% do) is the strongest predictor, with region (Western Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) and sex (male) also significant predictors. Approximately 60% of respondents from Western Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have institutional access compared to ∼50% in Asia and Latin America, and ∼40% in Eastern Europe and in Africa. Nevertheless, accessing free online material is a popular means of accessing literature for both those with and without institutional access. The four journals most frequently mentioned when asked which journal access would deliver the greatest improvements to the respondent’s IUCN-related work were Conservation Biology, Biological Conservation, Nature, and Science. The majority prefer to read journal articles on screen but books in hard copy. Overall, it is apparent that access to the literature is a challenge facing roughly half of the conservation community worldwide.

scholarly journals Young Kidney Professionals’ Perspectives and Attitudes about Consuming Scientific Information

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1587-1597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Tong ◽  
Deidra C. Crews ◽  
Jane O. Schell ◽  
Ian H. de Boer ◽  
Michel Chonchol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Scholarly Work ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Biomedical Journals ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Processing Information ◽  
American Society ◽  
New Evidence

The digital era has seen rapid changes in how information is consumed. Traditional dissemination of scholarly work through biomedical journals may not be optimally tailored to the preferences of younger clinicians and researchers. We aimed to describe the perspectives of young clinicians and researchers in kidney disease on consuming scientific information. Three focus groups were conducted during the 2017 American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week with a total of 29 nephrologists and researchers (ages 40 years old and younger) purposively sampled through our networks and the American Society of Nephrology registration database. Data were analyzed thematically. Of the 72 participants invited, 29 participated from 28 centers across 13 countries. Five themes were identified: capturing and retaining attention (with subthemes of triggering interest, optimizing readability, and navigation to sustain motivation); having discernible relevance (resonating with clinical and research interests, supporting professional development, action-oriented and readily applicable, able to disseminate, contextualizing the study, and filtering out informational noise); immediacy and efficiency in processing information (requiring instantaneous and easy access, enabling rapid understanding, and facilitating comprehension of complex concepts); trusting legitimate and credible sources (authoritative indicator of importance and quality, reputable experts broadening perspective, certainty and confidence with collegial input, accurate framing and translation of the message, ascertaining methodologic detail and nuances, and integrating the patient perspective); and social dialoguing and debate. Immediate and digitally optimized access motivated young kidney professionals to consume scientific information. Mechanisms that enable them to distil relevant and new evidence, appraise and apply information to clinical practice and research, disseminate studies to colleagues, and engage in discussion and debate may enhance their comprehension, confidence, interpretation, and use of scientific literature.

scholarly journals Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions (HEI): Merging the Study Systematic Review, Analysis Content and Bibliometrics

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Érika Pena Bedin ◽  
Luiz Carlos de Faria
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Review Analysis ◽  
Strong Focus ◽  
Content Analyses ◽  
Sustainability In Higher Education ◽  
Combination Of Methods

This study aims to explore how the topic of sustainability in Higher Education Institutions (HEI) has been addressed in the scientific literature. It presents a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles published between 1975 and 2019. After that, bibliometric and content analyses were performed in order to identify the behavior and evolution of the literature and identify the frequency with which they appear in the text, making it possible to raise replicable and valid inferences to the data. The results of this study indicate that the theme is emerging since the year 2010 and with a strong focus on qualitative studies, focused on critical theory. The results indicate that although studies involve the tripod environment, economy, and society, there is still a gap in studies that deal with specific issues to solve practical problems and that analyze the impacts from a more holistic perspective. The combination of methods made it possible to identify and interpret the articles in the selected sample, but based on results reported by other authors, with little room for quality control and integrity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document