Discovery and broad relevance may be insignificant components of course-based 1 undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) for non-biology majors

Abstract

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) are a type of laboratory learning environment associated with a science course in which undergraduates participate in novel research. According to Auchinchloss et al. (2104), CUREs are distinct from other laboratory learning environments because they possess five core design components, and while national calls to improve STEM education have led to an increase in CURE programs nationally, less work has specifically focused on which core components are critical to achieving desired student outcomes. Here we use a backward elimination experimental design in order to test the importance of two CURE components for a population of non-biology majors: the experience of discovery and the production of data 30 broadly relevant to the scientific or local community. We found nonsignificant impacts of either laboratory component on students’ academic performance, science self-efficacy, sense of project ownership, and perceived value of the laboratory experience. Our results challenge the assumption that all core components of CUREs are essential to achieve positive student outcomes when applied at scale.