Community-based inquiry improves critical thinking in general education biology.

ABSTRACT: National stakeholders are becoming increasingly concerned about the inability of college graduates to think critically. Research shows that, while both faculty and students deem critical thinking essential, only a small fraction of graduates can demonstrate the thinking skills necessary for academic and professional success. Many faculty are considering nontraditional teaching methods that incorporate undergraduate research because they more closely align with the process of doing investigative science. This study compared a research-focused teaching method called community-based inquiry (CBI) with traditional lecture/laboratory in general education biology to discover which method would elicit greater gains in critical thinking. Results showed significant critical-thinking gains in the CB

SUBMITTER: Quitadamo IJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2527977 | biostudies-literature | 2008

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature