SEARCH · bioRxiv Science

Results for “scientific communication and education”

Search indexed bioRxiv preprints in genomics, neuroscience, cell biology and bioinformatics. Read source abstracts and check manuscript versions; preprints are not peer reviewed.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Sustained Improvements in Student Outcomes Following Integration of Clinical Case Narratives in Veterinary Microbiology Curriculum

Microbiology education in veterinary curricula requires students to integrate complex foundational knowledge with clinical application, yet traditional lecture-based approaches often emphasize memorization over higher-order reasoning. In this study, we evaluated the impact of integrating clinically oriented, case-based instruction into a veterinary microbiology course within a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum. Using a quasi-experimental, multi-year design, student outcomes were compared before (2019, 2021) and after (2022-2025) implementation of case-based teaching while maintaining consistent course content, structure, and assessments. Introduction of clinical case examples was associated with significant and sustained improvements in student evaluations across multiple domains, including perceived relevance, critical thinking, and overall course value. Instructor-related evaluation metrics also improved. Student performance, measured by final course grades, increased following the intervention without evidence of grade inflation. These findings demonstrate that integrating clinically relevant case narratives into microbiology instruction enhances student engagement and student performance. This work highlights a practical and scalable strategy for improving microbiology education, particularly within veterinary and other health-professions curricula.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2020

Building the lac operon: A guided-inquiry activity using 3D printed models

Undergraduate biology courses rely heavily on visual representation of information. Students view images of plants, animals, and microbes, interpret data presented in graphs, and use drawings to understand how cells and molecules interact in three dimensions. Traditional teaching approaches exclude students with visual impairments and disadvantage students with disabilities that affect their interpretation and processing of visual and spatial information as well as students who simply do not identify as "visual learners". By using new technologies to develop tactile teaching tools (TTTs) that can be employed in classrooms, we aim to create inclusive learning environments and more effectively instruct diverse learners. The advent of affordable and accessible 3D printing technology makes it possible to create tactile models that represent molecules, cells, and entire organisms more accurately than traditional visual representations. We describe the assessment of a 3D gene expression puzzle as a guided inquiry learning activity in which students must correctly assemble a series of components in order to achieve an output. Upon completion of the puzzle, the TTT provides tactile feedback through vibration to signal transcriptional activation. Analysis of pre- and post-assessment performance demonstrated statistically significant increases in individual students paired assessment scores in two different classroom implementations, with a greater effect size at a rural minority-serving institution than an urban R1 university. These encouraging preliminary data suggest that TTTs with guided-inquiry learning disproportionately benefit disadvantaged student populations and could serve as a tool in leveling the playing field when teaching abstract biological concepts in diverse educational settings.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2020

Testing impacts of goal-oriented outreach with the Girl Scouts: Can a single activity change attitudes towards insects?

Most people meet insects with fear and disgust but this reputation is largely unfounded, as few insects pose health risks. In fact, many are beneficial and their absence would adversely affect human life; thus insect conservation is important but unpopular. We have begun addressing these concerns as part of a broader effort to establish an ongoing outreach partnership between graduate students at the University of Kansas and the Girl Scouts of Northeast Kansas/Northwest Missouri. To explore ways to advocate for insect conservation, we held an insect collecting activity at a Girl Scout summer camp and surveyed changes in attitudes towards insects afterwards. This activity positively changed reactions to insect encounters and increased confidence in identifying harmful insects but did not strongly reduce fears or increase curiosity towards insects. Beyond these proximate results, this project highlights the potential of Girl Scout troops as targets for informal science education that can benefit both academics and the broader community.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2021

Delineating Medical Education: Bibliometric Research Approach(es)

BackgroundThe field of medical education remains poorly delineated such that there is no broad consensus of the articles and journals that comprise "the field." This lack of consensus has implications for conducting bibliometric studies and other research designs (e.g., systematic reviews); it also challenges the field to compare citation scores in the field and across others and for an individual to identify themselves as "a medical education researcher." Other fields have utilized bibliometric field delineation, which is the assigning of articles or journals to a certain field in an effort to define that field. ProcessIn this Research Approach, three bibliometric field delineation approaches -- information retrieval, core journals, and journal co-citation -- are introduced. For each approach, the authors describe their attempt to apply it in the medical education context and identify related strengths and weaknesses. Based on co-citation, the authors propose the Medical Education Journal List 24 (MEJ-24), as a starting point for delineating medical education and invite the community to collaborate on improving and potentially expanding this list. PearlsAs a research approach, field delineation is complicated, and there is no clear best way to delineate the field of medical education. However, recent advances in information and computer science provide potentially more fruitful approaches to deal with the complexity of the field. When considering these emerging approaches, researchers should consider collaborating with bibliometricians. Bibliometric approaches rely on available metadata for articles and journals, which necessitates that researchers examine the metadata prior to analysis to understand its strengths and weaknesses, and to assess how this might affect their data interpretation. While using bibliometric approaches for field delineation is valuable, it is important to remember that these techniques are only as good as the research teams interpretation of the data, which suggests that an expanded research approach is needed to better delineate medical education, an approach that includes active discussion within the medical education community.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2019

Reader Engagement with Wikipedia’s Medical Content

Wikipedias extensive health and medical entries, maintained by WikiProject Medicine (WPM), are well supported by external links that provide readers with both a means of verifying the sources drawn upon and visiting those sources to learn more about a topic. In analysing how readers approach these links, data was collected on reader engagement with these links on WPM pages and on the rest of Wikipedia over a 32-day period. Readers of WPM pages were found to engage with external links more frequently than readers of the rest of Wikipedia, with WPM readers favoring hovering over a link and footnote clicking, compared to W readers who tended to click more external links per page viewed. Compared to readers of the rest of Wikipedia, WPM readers appear more attentive to the external links function in verifying and authorizing Wikipedia content, than to the educational potential of examining the sources themselves.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2026

Advancing the Conceptualization and Measurement of Mentorship: The Mentoring Experiences in Research & Graduate Education (MERGE) Scale

Interest in mentoring remains widespread within the scientific community, as mentorship is considered crucial to developing the scientific workforce. A longstanding focus on the positive aspects of mentorship obscures the reality that some mentoring relationships may be ineffective, counterproductive, or harmful. Progress has been limited by the absence of a scale capable of measuring both the positive and negative mentoring experiences of doctoral students. We addressed this need by developing a new scale: the Mentoring Experiences in Research and Graduate Education (MERGE). Results of three sequential multi-method studies (total N = 1,308) provide evidence for: (a) the content and response process validity of the MERGE; (b) a six-factor structure capturing the range of mentoring experiences; (c) negative mentoring experiences as empirically distinct from the absence of positive mentoring; (d) convergent, discriminant and criterion-related validity of the MERGE, with each factor demonstrating unique patterns of association with outcomes; and (e) the incremental validity of the MERGE in predicting outcomes beyond an existing measure of mentoring competence. We conclude by discussing implications for the use of the scale in doctoral education, including both theory advancement and applied practice.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2024

The Influence of Divergent Thinking and Creative Personality on the Quality of Scientific Production and Innovation in a Dominican University

This study analyzed how the dimensions of divergent thinking (PD)--fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration--impacted quality and innovation in scientific production at a university in the Dominican Republic. Using a quantitative approach based on a Structural Equation Model (SEM), the relationships between the DP, the creative personality (PC) and the indicators of quality and scientific innovation were examined. The sample included 296 participants, composed of graduate students, researchers, and administrative staff, who completed structured questionnaires adapted to the Dominican context. The findings demonstrated that flexibility and originality were the most influential factors within the DP, positioning them as key predictors of academic creativity and scientific output (coefficient = 1.98, p < 0.001). In addition, it was identified that the CP acted as a significant mediator in the relationship between the PD and the quality of the research (coefficient = 0.495, p < 0.001). The analysis of social networks (SRA) showed that individuals with high creativity occupied central positions in collaborative networks, improving knowledge transfer and fostering interdisciplinary environments. This study underscored the importance of promoting educational strategies that stimulate creativity and innovation in academic contexts. It was recommended to implement integrative programs of divergent thinking skills, collaborative spaces for researchers and students, and policies that encourage creativity in scientific projects. The limitations of the cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reports highlighted the need for future research with longitudinal methods and qualitative techniques. These findings contributed to the understanding of how to optimize creativity and PD in academic institutions, reinforcing their impact on knowledge generation and scientific advancement in Latin American contexts. Author summaryCreativity and innovation are key factors for progress in all disciplines, particularly in academic and scientific research. This study examines the impact of divergent thinking (a cognitive process characterized by generating multiple solutions to a problem) on the quality and novelty of scientific research. The research, conducted at a Dominican university, focused on four key dimensions of divergent thinking: fluency (the number of ideas generated), flexibility (the ability to adapt ideas to diverse contexts), originality (the generation of unique ideas), and elaboration (the depth and detail applied to ideas). By using structured surveys and advanced statistical models, the results reveal that originality and flexibility are the most influential factors in fostering creativity and improving the quality of research. In addition, people with pronounced creative personalities, marked by openness to new experiences and the assumption of intellectual risks, were identified as central figures in collaborative academic networks. These individuals not only improved the quality of their own work, but also contributed to fostering innovation within their professional communities. The study highlights the need to implement institutional strategies that foster creativity in academic settings. Recommendations include promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, offering specific training programs for creative problem-solving, and providing institutional support for innovative research initiatives. Such efforts can significantly improve the ability of universities to generate breakthrough discoveries and equip students and researchers with the capabilities needed to address complex global challenges. By highlighting the vital role of creativity and divergent thinking in academic research, this study provides useful information for higher education institutions seeking to advance scientific knowledge and innovation in the twenty-first century.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2026

The Impact of Small-group Education on Student Wellbeing in Undergraduate Biology: a Student Perspective on Self-Determination Theory

Alarming reports about mental health have raised awareness of student wellbeing in STEM Education. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) implies that wellbeing can be improved by fulfilling the needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness. Educational design elements such as small-group teaching, peer feedback and offering a low-stakes practice environment can help fulfill these SDT needs. These elements were applied in a new academic skills course in our undergraduate Biology program. Here, we investigated how this affected the students sense of autonomy, competence and relatedness, and whether this was related to wellbeing. First, a survey among 48 students confirmed that student wellbeing is positively correlated to SDT fulfillment. Next, group interviews with students revealed that wellbeing is mostly dependent on relatedness, which is facilitated through small-group teaching in the first semester. Furthermore, students reported that (1) relatedness evolves through bonding with peers over the shared experience of struggle, (2) competence requires (peer) feedback and opportunities for growth, especially in laboratory coursework and (3) a structured, low-stakes environment supports competence, but without optimal challenge, also undermines a sense of autonomy. This illustrates how students perceive the effects of small-group educational activities on their wellbeing through the lens of Self-Determination Theory.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2019

Workshops increase invasive species reports to EDDMapS in the Mid-Atlantic United States

As the prevalence of smartphones and smartphone applications has penetrated the cellular phone market, and the capabilities of features within smartphones allowed for the replacement of commonly used mapping and identification tools, Bugwood developers began to release smartphone applications for reporting invasive species. To encourage and demonstrate reporting, workshops have been held to walk users through these apps features and overall EDDMapS capabilities. To ascertain the effectiveness of workshops in encouraging reporting via smartphone apps and the EDDMapS MAEDN website, a General Linear Model was used to evaluate the number of records received across the 2012-2017 time frame and evaluate if there was a difference in the number of records in the years MAEDN workshops were held at the Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council conferences and workshops and years no MAEDN workshop was held. The model indicated that the workshops and time were significant factors in the number of records submitted. Being able to confidently demonstrate the effect that workshops can positively impact data recruitment can aid in funding for outreach and educational events.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2025

Enhancing Medical Science Engagement through International Research Exchange: Objectives, Activities, and Outcomes

BackgroundThe global decline in the number of physician-scientists, despite an increase in practicing physicians, underscores a critical need for integrating research training into medical education. Addressing this issue, we established an international research exchange program aimed to enhance scientific literacy, foster transferable skills, and align curricula with European standards through collaborative research experiences. MethodologyThe program enabled reciprocal student mobility, involving eleven medical undergraduates who conducted month-long basic science research projects. Participants also completed comprehensive pre-training in scientific communication, safety protocols, and ethics, and were required to participate in local public engagement events. Feedback from participants, which we present here, was collected via three anonymous, voluntary questionnaires: pre-program, post-program and post-1-year follow-up, which we provide here to support similar initiatives. ResultsDespite challenges and delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program met its objectives, demonstrating adaptability and effective resource management. Feedback revealed significant improvements in participants confidence in research methodologies, critical appraisal of scientific literature, and motivation for future research involvement. ConclusionThis project highlights the potential of structured international exchange programs, particularly among smaller institutions, to address gaps in medical education, enhance scientific training and opportunities in translational research for undergraduates, and cultivate the next generation of physician-scientists.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2021

Of Biofilms and Beehives: An Analogy-Based Instructional Tool to Introduce Biofilms to High-School and Undergraduate Students

The concept of biofilms and biofilm-based research is largely absent or minimally described in high school and undergraduate life science curriculum. While it is well-established that microbes, such as bacteria and fungi most often exist in multicellular biofilm communities, descriptions in standard biology textbooks continue to focus on the single-celled form of microbial life. We have developed an analogy-based instructional tool to introduce and explain biofilms to high school and undergraduate students. The module employs an analogy with beehives, given that biofilms and beehives are both superorganism states, to explain key biofilm features such as development and structure, chemical communication, division of labor and emergent properties. We delivered this analogy based learning tool to a cohort of 49 high school and undergraduate students, and based on participant feedback and learnings, present a formal evaluation of the instructional tool. Further, we outline prerequisites and learning approaches that can enable the delivery of this module in classroom and virtual learning settings, including suggestions for pre-lesson reading, student-centred interactive activities, and specific learning objectives. Taken together, this instructional analogy holds potential to serve as an educational tool to introduce biofilms in high school and undergraduate curricula in a relatable and comprehensible manner.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2023

EntomonVR: a New Virtual Reality Game for Learning Insect Morphology

In recent years, the study of insect morphology has benefited greatly from the emergence of new digital imaging and analysis technologies such as X-ray micro-computed tomography (-CT), digital 3D reconstruction, and animation. Through interactive gaming and virtual reality, the external morphology of insects can be studied by a broad audience of both entomologists and non-specialists. EntomonVR is a serious game designed to investigate the external morphology of insects with adequate quality for the virtual reality platform. We discuss the advantages of virtual reality, introduce the EntomonVR new educational game, and conclude about future perspectives, validations, and cost-effectiveness. For game assessment, we have tested this game on 25 participants with an entomological background and improved the game based on their feedback. This study demonstrates the efficacy of virtual reality technology for an experimental learning environment in teaching the morphology of insects and the crucial needs for advancing an efficient and interactive educational program.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2024

Assessing Technical College Students' Biology Proficiency as Related to Gender and Performance in Biology in Nigeria

This study investigated biology proficiency in relation to gender and performance among 350 Nigerian technical college students from 5 elitist technical colleges in Lagos State, employing a quantitative research method within a descriptive survey design. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, alongside inferential statistics including independent samples t-test and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed that technical college students from elitist schools displayed a high level of biology proficiency. Significant correlations were found among students conceptual understanding, procedural knowledge, strategic competence, adaptive reasoning, productive disposition, and overall performance in biology. While gender differences in biology proficiency appear to be diminishing across most subscales, subtle gender differences were observed in performance in biology in this study. Gender, conceptual understanding, productive disposition, adaptive reasoning, strategic competence, and procedural knowledge made statistically significant contributions to the variance in technical college students performance in biology. Based on this baseline study, it is recommended that future research in Nigeria should explore the biology proficiency of non-elitist schools, which constitute the majority of educational institutions in the country, to enable broader generalization of these findings.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2019

The Long-run Effects of Secondary School Track Assignment

This study analyzes the long-run effects of secondary school track assignment for students at the achievement margin. Theoretically, track assignment maximizes individual outcomes when thresholds between tracks are set at the level of the indifferent student, and any other thresholds would imply that students at or around the margin are better off by switching tracks. We exploit non-linearities in the probability of track assignment across achievement to empirically identify the effect of track assignment on educational attainment and wages of students in the Netherlands, who can be assigned to four different tracks. We find that attending higher tracks leads to increases in years of schooling by around 1.5 years for students at the lowest and the highest choice margin, and wage gains of around 15% and 5%, respectively. Results at the margin of the two medium tracks show no effect on educational attainment, and decreases in wage of around 12% from attending the higher track. The negative returns for the medium margin and the relatively low returns for the higher margin (compared to the required educational investments) are partly mediated by motivation and study choice.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2019

Championing Health Promotion through Group Patient and Family Education Activities in the Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital

BackgroundHealth education involves not only providing relevant information but also facilitating health-related behavior change. Patient education during the waiting period plays an essential role in promoting health and improving patient satisfaction rates. ObjectiveTo promote health by educating patients and their companions during their waiting period at the King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) Hospital, Riyadh, with the help of nurses and assess their satisfaction rate. MethodsA cross-sectional study, including patients and their companions in the waiting rooms of the various OPDs, was conducted. Group teaching sessions were conducted, followed by the assessment of patient and nurse satisfaction rate, and compliance rate using evaluation forms. Pre-implementation surveys were conducted to assess the drawbacks, based on which procedure was modified, and feedback was recorded using an electronic iPad. Data were collected with the help of questionnaires filled at the end of each teaching session and analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results of both the assessment and re-assessment were compared in terms of the number of attendees. ResultsThere was an improvement in number of attendees (4362 vs. 3392), patient satisfaction rate (90% vs. 78%), nurse satisfaction rate (83.09% vs. 33.18%) and compliance rate (100% vs. 65%) post-modifications. Few loopholes in terms of inappropriate environment and time of the lecture were also observed. ConclusionThe health educators can assist people in achieving their health goals by organizing structured health education activities, providing appropriate health education materials, and effective training. However, the satisfaction rates of people and health educators should be assessed by conducting routine feedback surveys.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2022

Role of pharmacists and community pharmacies in screening, knowledge and awareness investigation about diabetes mellitus type 2 of Jordanian people visiting community pharmacies

BackgroundThe problem is that approximately half of people with diabetes are unaware that they have the disease. Because there are few signs or symptoms in the early stages of diabetes, unnoticed symptoms will persist until diabetic complications appear just before D.M. is diagnosed. Diabetes is increasing exponentially worldwide, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. This study aims to determine Jordanians awareness of type 2 diabetes among those who visit community pharmacies in Amman, Jordan, as well as clarify the role of community pharmacies in T2DM screening. MethodsThe design was based on participants who visited community pharmacies in Amman, Jordan, in 2021. The personal contact interview questionnaire collected demographic information, geographic location, educational attainment, and insurance status. In addition, we created 15 knowledge questions. The study included 305 participants. Descriptive and regression analyses were deployed by using SPSS, ResultsA significant relationship between the type of medical degree and knowledge of risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus was confirmed in this study (p <0.012). Some subjects scored slightly higher than others (n = 175; 57.4% of participants scored above 7, compared to n = 130; 42.6% scored below 7). Although 50.5% of the participants (n = 154) held a bachelors, masters, or doctorate, these degrees did not improve the participants knowledge levels. The association was tested using chi-square analysis, but no significance was found. ConclusionsRandom visitors to Jordanian community pharmacies are expected to benefit from the current awareness and education campaign. These test results revealed a lack of knowledge, indicating the need for education to dispel myths and highlight the serious risks associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study discovered that participants understanding of diabetes disease prevention through lifestyle and dietary changes was inadequate. A specialist-led educational program may increase knowledge among visitors who participate. In order to prevent the spread of diabetes, more campaigns and health-promoting prevention educational activities are required.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2025

Digital Communication Preferences and Environmental Behavior: A Mixed-Methods Study of Youth Waste Management Education in Buddhist Bhutan

BackgroundUnderstanding youth perceptions and communication preferences regarding environmental education is crucial for developing effective interventions, particularly in understudied cultural contexts. Most environmental behavior research focuses on Western or large developing countries, leaving significant gaps in understanding small developing nations with unique cultural frameworks. ObjectiveThis study explored youth perceptions, communication preferences, and content effectiveness for waste management education within Bhutans Buddhist collectivist culture, addressing identified research gaps in small developing countries. MethodsA convergent mixed-methods design combined quantitative surveys (n=185) with qualitative interviews (n=10) at Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School in Thimphu, Bhutan. The theoretical framework integrated Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Learning Theory, Diffusion of Innovations Theory, and Community-Based Social Marketing principles. ResultsStudents demonstrated exceptionally high environmental awareness (99.5%) and positive attitudes toward waste separation (mean scores 4.4-4.8 on 5-point scales). Social media emerged as the overwhelmingly preferred communication channel (78.4%), with videos being the most engaging content format (81.6%). Key barriers included time constraints (61.6%), infrastructure limitations (51.9%), and motivational challenges (46.5%). Notably, social influence showed only moderate impact (mean=3.7), lower than typically found in collectivist cultures. Qualitative analysis revealed five themes: shared responsibility burdens, engagement sustainability challenges, system effectiveness limitations, civic values education needs, and institutional support requirements. ConclusionsBhutanese youth show strong environmental awareness coupled with distinct motivational patterns where environmental behavior appears more individually driven than typically found in collectivist cultures, suggesting Buddhist values of personal responsibility create unique frameworks. Digital communication channels, particularly video content through social media, offer promising avenues for environmental education. A multifaceted approach combining improved infrastructure, educational reinforcement, and culturally-appropriate communication strategies is essential for promoting sustainable waste management practices among youth in similar contexts.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2021

Building Back More Equitable STEM Education: Teach Science by Engaging Students in Doing Science

The COVID-19 pandemic is a national tragedy, one that has focused our attention on both the need to improve science education and the need to confront systemic racism in our country. We know that active learning strategies, in particular research experiences, can engage and empower STEM undergraduates, effectively closing the achievement gap for historically excluded persons. The apprenticeship model for STEM training - supervised research under a dedicated mentor - is highly effective, but out of reach for most students. Recent efforts have demonstrated that Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) can be an effective approach for making STEM research accessible for all. Our meta-analysis of CUREs finds that published examples now cover the breadth of the typical undergraduate biology curriculum. A thoughtfully designed CURE can go beyond foundational knowledge and analytical thinking to include career-related skills, e.g., teamwork and communication. Similarly, it can be designed with equity as a foundational principle, taking into account the unique contributions of all students and their varying needs. We provide here an example framework (The "Do Science Framework") for making STEM training more effective and inclusive using CUREs. While CUREs do not inherently address equity, there can be no equity in STEM education without equal access to research participation, and progress toward this goal can be achieved using CUREs. However, implementing new CUREs is not a trivial undertaking, particularly at schools with high teaching loads and little or no research infrastructure, including many community colleges. We therefore propose a National Center for Science Engagement to support this transition, building on experiences of current nationally established CUREs as well as the work of many individual faculty. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, academia has a renewed responsibility to dismantle structural inequities in education; engaging all STEM students in research can be a key step.

scientific communication and education↗