Context • BIO 2010 and other calls for reform in

science education promote exposing students to primary literature and the process of science

• Students in my allied health classes tend to: • Rely on surface learning and “information dump”

of isolated facts• Perceive information as infallible and indelible• Rely on non-scientific sources for science and

health information

Research Question

• Does using primary literature improve scientific thinking in allied health majors?

• Why is this interesting?– Most published studies on using primary

literature focus on majors or introductory non-majors courses, not allied health majors

– How do you measure scientific thinking?

Research design• Three assignments will be given that require

students to analyze selected figures from primary research articles or the entire article

• Scientific thinking outcomes measured will include:– Data analysis skills– Likelihood of using scientific sources rather than

popular media for scientific information– Quality of questions asked

Research designPre-test:Data analysis

Pre-survey:Preferences for sources (similar to

Russell et al, Adv. Phys. Ed. 2004)

Assignment 1Analysis of questions asked

Assignment 2Analysis of questions asked

Assignment 3Analysis of questions asked

Post-test:Data analysis

Post-surveyPreferences for sources

Week 1

Week 14