Understanding Randomness on a Molecular Level: A Diagnostic Tool

Undergraduate biology students' molecular-level understanding of stochastic (also referred to as random or noisy) processes found in biological systems is often limited to those examples discussed in class. Therefore, students frequently display little ability to accurately transfer their knowl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:CBE - Life Sciences Education 2023-06, Vol.22 (2), p.ar17-ar17
Main Authors: Tobler, Samuel, Köhler, Katja, Sinha, Tanmay, Hafen, Ernst, Kapur, Manu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biology
Concept Formation
Foreign Countries
General s and
Humans
Item Response Theory
Knowledge
Learning Processes
Misconceptions
Molecular Biology
Molecular Structure
Multiple Choice Tests
Protocol Analysis
Psychometrics
Science Instruction
Science Tests
Scientific Concepts
Student Evaluation
Students
Test Reliability
Test Validity
Transfer of Training
Undergraduate Students
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Summary:Undergraduate biology students' molecular-level understanding of stochastic (also referred to as random or noisy) processes found in biological systems is often limited to those examples discussed in class. Therefore, students frequently display little ability to accurately transfer their knowledge to other contexts. Furthermore, elaborate tools to assess students' understanding of these stochastic processes are missing, despite the fundamental nature of this concept and the increasing evidence demonstrating its importance in biology. Thus, we developed the Molecular Randomness Concept Inventory (MRCI), an instrument composed of nine multiple-choice questions based on students' most prevalent misconceptions, to quantify students' understanding of stochastic processes in biological systems. The MRCI was administered to 67 first-year natural science students in Switzerland. The psychometric properties of the inventory were analyzed using classical test theory and Rasch modeling. Moreover, think-aloud interviews were conducted to ensure response validity. Results indicate that the MRCI yields valid and reliable estimations of students' conceptual understanding of molecular randomness in the higher educational setting studied. Ultimately, the performance analysis sheds light on the extent and the limitations of students' understanding of the concept of stochasticity on a molecular level.
ISSN:1931-7913
1931-7913
DOI:10.1187/cbe.22-05-0097