Research Problem Context: A recently redesigned Classroom-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) - 3 rd year immunology lab - Uses guided inquiry - Students design and carry out an experiment Problem: - Not much published data about impact of different CUREs on experimental design skills. - We want to make sure our CURE imparts experimental design skills

Research Questions Do the activities in a guided CURE lead students to change their attitudes about scientific research and gains in their experimental design skills? What processes do novice students employ when designing an experiment?

Research Methods My primary research methods include: 1)Modified survey of attitudes about science and perceived skills 1)Experimental design skills assessment  isomorphic problem prompting students to design an experiment 2)Interviews with subset of students on process used in the skills assessment How will I collect these data? Each tool will be administered to individual students 1)Completed 3 times outside of class & online (week 1, week 5, week 13) 1)Completed on paper 2 times during class (week 5, week 12) 3)Participants recruited separately and interviewed individually 2 times (week 5, week 12-13) My strategy to analyze these data will be: 1)Statistical analysis in consultation with statistician 2)Detailed rubric to quantify experimental skills and measure change. 3)Qualitative analysis of the transcript to identify themes (inductive and deductive)

Alignment of Research Question and Methods Do students gain experimental design skills? Skills assessment Rubric  numerical grade Interviews Qualitative analysis Modified CASPIE survey Quantitative Likert data Direct measure of skills Measures process students use in design Self-perception of skills & views about science

I obtained feedback on my plans from local mentors, a statistician, my collaborator, and my group leader (Stephanie) I developed the survey, experimental design skills assessments, rubrics and interview questions I worked with my collaborator to finalize a timeline and process to implement the study and integrate it well into the class I applied for a small internal grant to hire a research assistant to help with logistics, transcription, and analysis (still waiting to hear back) I applied to my local IRB and just received the notice of approval this week! Special thanks to Stephanie for providing scientific review as part of McGill’s expedited review process. Progress since the Institute