Improving Students’ Inquiry Skills and Self-Efficacy through Research-Inspired Modules in the General Chemistry Laboratory

Abstract

Research projects conducted by faculty in STEM departments served as the inspiration for a new curriculum of inquiry-based, multiweek laboratory modules in the general chemistry 1 course. The purpose of this curriculum redesign was to improve students' attitudes about chemistry as well as their self-efficacy and skills in performing inquiry activities. Students' ability to plan experiments and interpret data improved throughout the semester, as did their confidence in conducting research-like lab activities. Improved confidence was observed among men and women, science and engineering students, and Caucasian and international students. These outcomes are similar to those found with authentic research-based experiments. The curriculum had less of an impact on students' attitudes about chemistry. A research-inspired curriculum offers many benefits to students without the difficulties of designing actual research-based projects for general chemistry classes.

Do We Need to Design Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences for Authenticity?

“…This view falls into the “product” category of authentic research (Spell et al , 2014). Weaver et al ’s (2008) conception of authenticity was included by Winkelmann et al (2014) in the rationale for the design of a first-year chemistry “research-inspired” inquiry laboratory series, which lends weight to the idea that production of high-quality data ties to authenticity in research education.…”

Student's Need Analysis for the Development of Chemistry Modules Based Guided Inquiry to Improve Science Process Skill

“…Teaching materials such modules can be developed to help teachers (Paulo & Cruz, 2015). The module involves conceptual knowledge content and laboratory activities (Winkelmann et al, 2014). The module aims to facilitate student understanding.…”

Measuring Meaningful Learning in the Undergraduate Chemistry Laboratory: A National, Cross-Sectional Study

“…Additional research has examined the impacts of research-based undergraduate laboratory curricula including the CASPiE project 24−26 and other research-based curricula. 27 The body of research on the undergraduate chemistry laboratory includes reports regarding general chemistry courses, 11,12,15,18−23 organic chemistry, 13 and upper-division chemistry courses, including inorganic qualitative analysis 15 and instrumental analysis. 16,17 These previous studies have identified some important aspects of student learning in the laboratory.…”