Collaboration Dilemma: Publish or Perish?
Length: 1 Hour or Less
Discipline: Chemistry and Biochemistry, Research Design
Level: Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Author: Shanen M. Sherrer
The purpose of this problem series is to design a creative low-stakes active learning module within an introductory biochemistry course that allows student groups to stimulate research activities without a formal assessment component. Stage 1 is designed to give students practice with open-ended experimental design under the context of protein purification. Stage 2 continues student engagement with research design using information gleaned from Stage 1, and it provides a chance to be the first to “publish.” Stage 3 gives students a broad review of biochemical methodology and increases their desire to “publish” before another student group gains the most whiteboard space for displaying research results. Student groups change over the course of the problem series, and all groups are encouraged to collaborate with others to accomplish research goals. The class activities should complement course projects to reinforce learning goals. By the end of this problem series, students will: be able to identify biochemical methods to find desired data information; have a review of methods learned in preparation for exams or other tests; and have insights into research built from previous publications.