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A module integrating conventional teaching and student‐centered approach for critical reading of scientific literature
Author(s) -
Kulkarni Anuttama,
Vartak Rekha
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
biochemistry and molecular biology education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1539-3429
pISSN - 1470-8175
DOI - 10.1002/bmb.21281
Subject(s) - reading (process) , mathematics education , student centered , critical thinking , scientific thinking , teaching method , critical reading , computer science , psychology , pedagogy , political science , law
Abstract One of the well‐accepted ways of introducing undergraduates to the method of scientific inquiry is to introduce them to primary literature. A matter of concern is that undergraduate students of Indian universities are generally not trained to read primary literature. We combined traditional teaching and student‐centered approach in a 3‐day module for introducing first‐year students to critical reading of primary literature. This article describes the design of the module, the method of assessment of student performance, the learning outcomes, and student feedback. We received positive feedback from students and observed significant improvement in their understanding of the rationale and results of the research paper under consideration. The module may be viewed as an example of a simple introductory activity to enthuse and initiate college students to scientific thinking and research paper reading. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(5):581–588, 2019.