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Table 5 Teachers’ (group 4, n = 55) responses to the questionnaire on their practices and the effectiveness of the laboratory curriculum

From: Is the undergraduate microbiology curriculum preparing students for careers in their field?: an assessment of biology majors’ conceptions of growth and control of microorganisms

 

Statements

No. of teacher responses (%)

Section 1: Indicate how often the following happens

  

Always

Very often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

 1

Students are given the protocol

60.00

32.73

7.27

0.00

0.00

 2

Students are encouraged to read research articles related to the experiment

41.82

27.27

25.45

5.45

0.00

 3

Students bring protocols from research articles/books

1.82

16.36

41.82

30.91

9.09

 4

Teachers have 2–3 different protocols, from students, for the same experiment

5.45

7.27

32.73

34.55

20.00

Section 2: Indicate your level of agreement with the following statements

  

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

 1

Students only use the protocols printed in the journal*

25.25

40.00

18.18

16.36

0.00

 2

Students do not understand research articles

9.09

25.45

18.18

40.00

7.27

 3

Practicals are conducted in alignment with what students are learning in theory

21.82

47.27

18.18

10.91

1.82

Section 3: To what extent does the current laboratory course have a positive impact on

  

High

Medium

Unsure

Low

No

 1

Learning technical skills

38.18

58.18

3.64

0.00

0.00

 2

Student engagement with underlying principles

34.55

65.45

0.00

0.00

0.00

 3

Understanding research methodology

10.91

34.55

32.73

21.82

0.00

 4

Building a link between theory and practicals

21.82

60.00

9.09

9.09

0.00

 5

Attracting them to research

14.55

43.64

25.45

12.73

3.64

 6

Acquiring quantitative skills

12.73

45.45

34.55

5.45

1.82

 7

Developing analytical skills

12.73

43.64

25.45

18.18

0.00

 8

Ability to deal with unexpected situations

9.09

38.18

30.91

21.82

0.00

 9

Motivation to pursue science

20.00

60.00

14.55

3.64

1.82

  1. *Handbook used in the laboratory to record observations and write conclusions; contains the aim, principle involved, and the detailed method to be followed