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Using web‐based media to teach first year biology students about statistical significance
Author(s) -
KrontirisLitowitz Johanna
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.517.22
Subject(s) - class (philosophy) , presentation (obstetrics) , statistical significance , statistical analysis , data presentation , computer science , mathematics education , population , psychology , medicine , mathematics , statistics , artificial intelligence , documentation , environmental health , radiology , programming language
The objective of this study was to determine if web‐based media could be used to teach first year biology students statistical significance analysis and to compare this form of instruction to traditional lecture based delivery. Two methods were used to present information about statistical significance and p values, a slide presentation and 2 YouTube videos. The slide presentation was delivered by the instructor during class. The YouTube videos were embedded in a class assignment where students were instructed to analyze data, interpret results and present data in a graph format. A pre‐course assessment of student knowledge showed that 19.9% of the class knew how to use p values and recognized their importance in evaluating data. Student understanding assessed after the slide presentation showed that 23% could use significance values to correctly interpret data in a journal article and 29 % could use significance to interpret experimental data in a class quiz (p>;.05, n=60). Student understanding was assessed again after students watched the YouTube videos and an improvement observed. At this time 63.6% of the class could use significance values to correctly interpret data in a journal article (p<.05, n=60). This study shows that web‐based media can be used to teach students analytical skills such as population testing, and that in some cases this option can be more effective that traditional lecture presentations.