Student Perceptions of Their Gains in Course-Based Undergraduate Research Abilities Identified as the Anticipated Learning Outcomes for a Biochemistry CURE

A course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) is a teaching approach aimed at developing students’ ability to conduct novel research. Although students’ perceptions of their learning during CUREs may not reflect actual student learning, such surveys provide a convenient and useful metric for course evaluation. Instructors can use survey findings both to improve instruction and to identify areas of student difficulty. Although various reports have presented data on student perceptions of CUREs, these have not delved deeply into students’ perceived knowledge, experience, and confidence (KEC) regarding specific research abilities that instructors anticipate students will develop. This study addresses this issue by investigating changes in students’ perceived KEC regarding previously identified anticipated learning outcomes (ALOs) for the biochemistry authentic scientific inquiry laboratory (BASIL) CURE. The following research questions were addressed: How do students’ perceptions of KEC for specifi...