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Background: Out-of-school time (OST) science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming has positive impacts for youth, and the importance of engineering design activities and principles within STEM programming is well-supported by research. Including subject matter experts (SMEs) in these programs enriches the experience of youth participants. Public libraries are widely accessible to the public, and their role in the OST arena is expanding. Library staff can boost the quality of STEM learning experiences by partnering with SMEs. Purpose: Subject matter experts (SME) contribute more than just their expertise. Between 2018 and 2019, a group of diverse professional engineers and librarians co-facilitated engineering activities at six U.S. libraries serving traditionally underserved populations. This study investigates the alignment in active learning preferences between youth, library staff, and professional engineer volunteers. Method: The study's design implemented the Framework for the Observation and Categorization of Instructional Strategies (FOCIS), which identifies seven different types of learning activities: collaborating, competing, performing, discovering, making, teaching, and caretaking. The FOCIS helped researchers evaluate the learning activity preferences of youth participants, engineers, and librarians. Results: The analysis showed that the learning activity preferences of youth and engineers were much more closely aligned than those of librarians. Conclusions: Alignment between youth-program participants and SME program facilitators has the potential to enrich the program experience and foster active engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing use of machine learning and Large Language Models (LLMs) opens up opportunities to use these artificially intelligent algorithms in novel ways. This article proposes a methodology using LLMs to support traditional deductive coding in qualitative research. We began our analysis with three different sample texts taken from existing interviews. Next, we created a codebook and inputted the sample text and codebook into an LLM. We asked the LLM to determine if the codes were present in a sample text provided and requested evidence to support the coding. The sample texts were inputted 160 times to record changes between iterations of the LLM response. Each iteration was analogous to a new coder deductively analyzing the text with the codebook information. In our results, we present the outputs for these recursive analyses, along with a comparison of the LLM coding to evaluations made by human coders using traditional coding methods. We argue that LLM analysis can aid qualitative researchers by deductively coding transcripts, providing a systematic and reliable platform for code identification, and offering a means of avoiding analysis misalignment. Implications of using LLM in research praxis are discussed, along with current limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research shows that women are entering the field of physics at a faster rate than the field of chemistry through bachelor's and doctoral degrees. However, STEM studies primarily compare women to men or examine them as a single entity. Therefore, a paucity of research exists that examines what may differentiate women in certain critical and underrepresented fields of STEM education, such as the physical sciences. The focus of this study is to examine differences among women in chemistry in the physical sciences based on background demographics and motivational factors such as academic achievement and experiences ranging from secondary through postsecondary education. This study examines the following research question: On average, do females who select chemistry as compared to physics doctoral programs differ in their reported personal motivations and background factors prior to entering the field? This question is analyzed using variables in a logistic regression from the Project Crossover Survey data set through a subset of female physical science doctoral students and scientists (n = 1137). Results show that females who have higher secondary and postsecondary grades and positive experiences in postsecondary chemistry as well as negative postsecondary physics experiences are more likely to enter the field of chemistry as opposed to physics. Therefore, success and experiences in entry-level chemistry courses are critical for female entry into the field and should be further examined. Overall, analyses show that women should not be studied in comparison only to men or as a single entity; they should also be compared to one another to uncover what motivation and background variables influence them to enter a particular field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children’s early science interest begins well before middle school, and parents can be important in generating and sustaining such interest. This qualitative study addresses how parental occupations shape physical scientists’ early science interest. Our framework uses Social Cognitive Career Theory, and our research question is, “How do parental occupations create learning opportunities for children and motivate them to pursue physical science?” We examine interviews from 17 physical scientists in Project Crossover, a sequential mixed-methods study that broadly examines factors influencing entry into physics and chemistry doctoral programs. Parental occupations can create learning opportunities through role modeling, encouragement, exposure, familiarity, and bonding. Thus, parents can be valuable in creating learning opportunities for children outside classrooms. Study limitations include a small sample and lack of information about familial structure. Our research contributes to the emergent understanding of the role of parental occupations in science interest, which further influences individual career trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Even with the history of debate over the merits of homework, there are significant gaps in the research record regarding its benefit to students. The focus of this study is on the association between time spent on homework and academic performance in science and math by assessing survey and transcript data from two nationally representative samples of high school students collected in 1990 and 2002. Using multiple linear regressions and controlling for students' background, motivation, and prior achievement, we investigated how much variance in science and math course grades and achievement test scores could be explained by time spent on homework in those classes. The results indicate that there is no consistent significant relationship between time spent on homework and grades, but a consistently positive significant relationship between homework and performance on standardized exams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In section two of a 2002 amendment on the Undergraduate Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Education Improvement Act, congress stated "A workforce that is highly trained in science…is crucial to generating the innovation that drives economic growth…" (Committee on Science, 2002). Given the growth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers and the exodus of aging and highly skilled workers from these fields as projected by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), fulfilling this order is likely to be challenging. In 2005, The BLS projected that between 2004 and 2014, employers in the United States would be hiring 2.5 million STEM workers (BLS, 2005). Despite this looming deficit, some STEM fields in the United States are actually graduating fewer bachelor's degree students than 20 years ago (NSF, 2006). In 2004, 64,675 students earned engineering bachelor degrees compared to 76,153 in 1984. Bachelor's degrees in Physical sciences totaled 14,240 in 2004, while they reached 15,831 in 1984. This emphasizes the importance of increasing student interest in science in order to ensure we will be capable of filling the projected openings and maintaining competitive in the global market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the impact of doctoral completion times on the future salary prospects of graduate students in the U.S. It explores whether measures of merit can predict doctoral completion times. It attempts to determine whether there are gender-specific effects on either doctoral completion times or career prospects. It discusses the use of data from a study which examined the transition from graduate student to independent researcher in chemistry and physics.

As the global economic crisis continues, sustaining the United States' position as a leader in research and development is a top concern of policy makers. Looking to increase the number of students pursuing degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), calls for improved mathematics and science education abound. We completed a two-part analysis to assess the school-based factors related to students choosing to complete a major in STEM. The results indicate that the majority of students who concentrate in STEM make that choice during high school, and that choice is related to a growing interest in mathematics and science rather than enrollment or achievement. These results indicate that the current policy focus on advanced-level course taking and achievement as measures to increase the flow of students into STEM may be misguided. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 95:877-907, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The underrepresentation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields is magnified as the level of degree attainment increases creating a STEM workforce that is lacking in female leadership. This study focuses on the experiences that scientists have during graduate school and beyond in order to identify factors that may add difficulty to obtaining and maintaining a career in science and the role gender plays in this journey. Interview data with scientists and science graduate students was analyzed for the interaction between family life and professional life for scientists. The results of the analysis indicate a conflict between family and science work. A gender differential is supported by the analysis. Possible explanations for the results are explored in terms of theory offered in the literature and themes that emerged during analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which analyzes the frequencies and characteristics of high school laboratory experiences in physics as described by introductory college students. It distributes a survey aimed to gather information on a large number of curricular concerns in high school science. The outcome in the regression model shows that too much time spent concentrating on laboratory process was related with lower performance by introductory physics students.

This paper examines the experiences reported by scientists and graduate students regarding the experiences that first engaged them in science. The interviews analysed for this paper come from Project Crossover, a mixed-methods study of the transition from graduate student to PhD scientist in the fields of chemistry and physics. This analysis involved review of 116 interviews collected from graduate students and scientists and focused on the timing, source, and nature of their earliest interest in science. The majority (65%) of participants reported that their interest in science began before middle school. Females were more likely to report that their interest was sparked by school-related activities, while most males recounted self-initiated activities. Our findings indicate that current policy efforts (which focus on high school science reform) to increase the numbers of students studying in the science fields, may be misguided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This US study investigates interactive associations between structure in inquiry-type learning activities and academic attainment in high school science with introductory college science performance as the outcome. Past studies of this type have tended to use smaller samples and shorter-range methods of assessing the influence of interactions. This study used a large-scale nationally representative sampling of science students and investigated the existence of long-range associations between high school and college. Replicated across three different disciplinary data-sets (biology, chemistry, and physics) totaling over 8,000 surveys, the analysis discovered an interaction between structure and attainment associated with differences in long-range student performance. The implications for these findings in terms of theory and practise are discussed in the conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attrition of females studying physics after high school is a growing concern to the science education community. Most undergraduate science programs require introductory physics coursework. Thus, success in introductory physics is usually necessary for students to progress to higher levels of science study. Success also influences attitudes; if females are well prepared, feel confident, and do well in introductory physics, they may be inclined to study physics further. This quantitative study using a hierarchical linear model focused on determining factors from high school physics preparation (content, pedagogy, and assessment) and the affective domain that predicted female and male performance in introductory university physics. The data analyzed came from 1973 introductory university physics surveys that included variables used as controls for student demographic and academic background characteristics. The results highlight high school physics and affective experiences that differentially predicted female and male performance. These experiences include learning requirements, long-written problems, cumulative tests/quizzes, father's encouragement, and family's belief that science leads to a better career. There were also factors that had a similar effect on female and male performance among which mathematics preparation was the overall strongest predictor of university physics performance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed91:847–876, 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the study which focuses on the analysis of classroom chemistry practices and their connection with performance in first-course introductory college chemistry in the U.S. The Project FICSS has surveyed over 100 introductory college science courses and universities through stratified random sampling of over 1700 schools, and the subsample included 3521 students from 38 different first courses in introductory college chemistry. The study revealed that the trends in the predictors show peer teaching are associated with higher grade, and that the reports of limited class time devoted to pre-demo and post-demo discussion suggested that demonstrations are not used as means of encouraging discussion in teacher-guided framework.

Honors and advanced placement (AP) courses are commonly viewed as more demanding than standard high school offerings. Schools employ a range of methods to account for such differences when calculating grade point average and the associated rank in class for graduating students. In turn, these statistics have a sizeable impact on college admission and access to financial aid. The authors establish the relationship between the grade earned and type of high school science course taken for 7,613 students by modeling their later performance in an introductory college course. The sample is drawn from more than 100 introductory science courses at 55 randomly chosen college and universities. Accounting for variations in college grading systems, strong evidence is found in favor of the practice of adding bonus points to students' high school course grades in the sciences, namely, on a 4-point scale, I point for AP courses and .5 for honors courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the influence of high school science class size on students' achievement in introductory college science courses and on the variation of teacher practice across class size. Surveys collected information about high school science class experiences from 2754 biology, 3521 chemistry, and 1903 physics students across 36 public and 19 private institutions from 31 different states. The first analysis includes a cross-tabulation of 6 different class sizes and the frequencies of teacher practices reported by students. The second analysis includes a multiple linear regression of class size and student achievement. Results show no differences for pedagogy and student achievement until class sizes fall to 10 or fewer students. These findings suggest that incremental reductions in class size are likely not to have a significant impact on later student achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the influence of high school chemistry subject to the performance of college freshmen in introductory college chemistry in the U.S. To gather the needed information, a questionnaire was drafted that include an inquiry on the quantity of time students recalled spending on chemistry content topics. Researchers discover that stoichemistry is the one topic considered by majority of students as the most important predictor of college chemistry performance. The predicted grade of students who reported a heavy emphasis on stoichemistry was 2.6 points.

This pilot study investigated the capacity of eye‐gaze tracking to identify differences in problem‐solving behaviours within a group of individuals who possessed varying degrees of knowledge and expertise in three disciplines of science (biology, chemistry and physics). The six participants, all pre‐service science teachers, completed an 18‐item multiple‐choice science assessment while having their eye‐gaze tracked and recorded. Analysis of the data revealed differences in eye‐gaze behaviour across different disciplines and similarities among participants with similar science backgrounds. This manuscript discusses various issues in eye‐gaze tracking data analysis and suggests some analytical techniques for addressing these issues. The findings suggest that eye‐gaze tracking may potentially be a useful approach to furthering our understanding of students’ problem‐solving behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study conducted by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics entitled "Factors Influencing College Science Success." The study surveyed college students enrolled in first-year biology, chemistry and physics courses throughout the U.S. Experiential factors were selected on the basis of an extensive review of past studies and the results of a large-scale pilot investigation of the effects of high school preparation on the success of college physics.

This study compares frequencies of instructional practices across differing scheduling plans (Traditional and Block plans), and explores the association between high school scheduling plans and college science preparation, using introductory college science grades as the outcome measure. More than 7000 students enrolled in introductory college biology, chemistry, and physics were surveyed. No large difference was found when comparing the use of frequencies of instructional practices across scheduling plans. Regression models investigating associations between scheduling plans and college grades found significant, but small differences in predicted college grades for Traditional, 4:4, and Unique Block students; however, the analysis found two negative interactions on college grades linking alternate Block (AB) with HS science achievement and AB block with peer tutoring. Overall, the results indicate that Block scheduling plans do not appear to provide an advantage to students in terms of college preparation in science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to ameliorate gender disparity in pursuit of science careers in the USA have focused on equalizing girls' participation in pre-college science courses and out-of-school activities. Our examination of nearly 1500 US college students at 16 universities found that gender and preparation both have an impact on success in introductory college physics courses. In terminal, algebra-based physics females perform better than their male classmates. However, in calculus based introductory college physics courses, which are prerequisite to advanced study in many fields, women do significantly worse than their male counterparts with the same background. For both genders, taking a high school course that limits coverage and concentrates more time in in-depth study is associated with better performance in college physics. We conclude that efforts to ensure the success of women entering the physical sciences should concentrate on increasing the depth and reducing the vast coverage of most high school physics courses as well as addressing the apparent bias in college courses that mark the first step in careers within scientific research and engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses how a high school physics course prepares students for college physics success. Relationship of the high school physics courses with the grade earned in introductory college physics; Range in the effectiveness of pre-college preparation.

Discusses the role of high-school physics in preparing students for college physics. Importance of the physics subject; Dissatisfaction of college professors; Relationship between high school and college physics; Considerations of demographic variables; Regression models for college grade in introductory physics.

The article presents a study which examines the effect of high-school science and mathematics on college science performance. In this study, the researchers randomly selected 77 colleges and universities from a comprehensive list of roughly 1700 4-year institutions. In addition, the researchers designed three parallel surveys tailored to the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. The surveys consist a series of interviews of college students, high-school teachers and college professors in a separate analysis.

The article presents a survey based on the importance of career planning in pursuing a science-related career. Students were provided with a list of employment options and were required to select only one option. Then their responses were categorized into two groups: science-related and non-science career expectations. Multinomial logistic regression was used to study the responses. Multinomial logistic regression analysis included two outcome comparisons in earned baccalaureate degrees: earning degrees in life sciences versus non-science areas and earning degrees in physical sciences versus non-science areas. The survey concluded that, among the students who graduated with baccalaureate degrees from 4-year colleges, those who expected as eighth graders to have science-related careers at age 30 were 1.9 limes more likely to earn a life science baccalaureate degree than those who did not expect a science-related career. Estimated probabilities for life sciences nearly doubled for students who were interested in science-related career expectations.

The article describes traits and career interests of a doctor of medicine (MD)-master of public health (MPH) program graduates. Topics discussed include a national cohort study was done on 59,797 graduates who took the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), results showed that 822 of them finished an MD-MPH program with the rest being MD program graduates, and the mean overall debt of MD-MPH programs was higher than MD programs.

• Males had more positive attitude toward digital game use in general. • The gender difference was smaller in the studies involving serious games. • The studies that measured affect and self-efficacy showed larger gender difference. With increasing research attention on digital game use for purposes of both entertainment and non-entertainment (e.g., education and learning, training), more empirical studies have been conducted to explore various issues related to digital games and their uses and applications. Given the background of gender difference related to technology in general, gender difference in attitudes toward digital game use has been a topic in many research studies. However, findings from previous research studies on gender difference in attitudes toward digital game use were inconsistent. Therefore, this meta -analysis was conducted to address this issue. From the research literature up to January of 2023, 41 studies were identified as useable, thus included in this study. From these 41 studies, the cumulative sample size was 35,348, and a total of 133 effect sizes were obtained. Using a three-level random-effects meta -analytic model, a significant effect size of gender difference in attitudes toward digital game use (g = 0.21, 95 % CI: [0.10, 0.32]) was found. Moderator analyses showed that study features of game type (entertainment games vs. serious games) and sub-types of attitudes (self-efficacy, affect, and belief) contributed to the heterogeneity of the results across the studies. The implications of the findings, and the limitations and future research considerations were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT With recent attention to improving scientific workforce development and student achievement, there has been a rise in effort to understand and encourage student engagement in physical science. This study examines the association of family influence and initial interest in science through multiple and logistic regression models. Research questions addressed include Controlling for demographic variables, are physical science doctoral students or scientists who report family as a primary source of interest in science, as opposed to those that do not, more likely to develop an early interest in science? And what specific forms of family support are associated with doctoral students or scientists who report family as a primary source of initial interest in science? The study uses survey data from Project Crossover ( n = 4,285), a sequential mixed methods study that examines factors influencing entrance into physical science doctoral programs as well as the transition from graduate students to independent researcher. Results suggest that family interest in science facilitates earlier initial interest in science. Further analyses show that family influence shifts from parental occupation as the primary source of interest for the older generation of scientists to one of three influences (occupation, diversion or hobby, and encouragement) among doctoral students. © 2013Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 97:395-409, 2013 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that examined undergraduate research experiences (URE) from a longitudinal perspective in respect to participation, learning enhancements and contribution to the pursuit of a postgraduate education. Findings show that women are more likely to participate in undergraduate research programs than their male counterparts. The long-term efficacy of URE as a gateway for women interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers is suggested.

In a climate where increasing numbers of students are encouraged to pursue post-secondary education, the level of preparedness students have for college-level coursework is not far from the minds of all educators, especially high school teachers. Specifically within the biological sciences, introductory biology classes often serve as the gatekeeper or a pre-requisite for subsequent coursework in those fields and pre-professional programmes (egpre-medicine or pre-veterinarian). Thus, how helpful high school science and mathematics experiences are in preparing students for their introductory biology classes is important and relevant for teachers, science educators and policy makers alike. This quantitative study looked at the association between students' high school science and mathematics experiences with introductory college biology performance. Using a nationally representative sample of US students (n = 2667) enrolled in 33 introductory college biology courses, a multi-level statistical model was developed to analyse the association between high school educational experiences and the final course grade in introductory biology courses. Advanced high school science and mathematics coursework, an emphasis on a deep conceptual understanding of biology concepts and a prior knowledge of concepts addressed in well-structured laboratory investigations are all positively associated with students' achievement in introductory college biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What motivates individuals to embark on graduate careers in physics and chemistry and how could these motivations impact future productivity? This study examines gender differences in such motivations and their ability to predict select future success outcomes (publications and grant funding) for physical scientists. The data were obtained as part of Project Crossover, a national study of physicists and chemists. Overall, motivations for males and females were similar. Regression results indicate that individuals who chose a graduate career in the physical sciences primarily because they enjoyed thinking about science or were encouraged by significant others were more productive in terms of primary/first- author publications and generation of grant funding than those who were motivated by factors such as academic performance or desire to impact society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undergraduate research experiences (UREs) have been endorsed as a powerful instructional tool in higher education; however, relatively little is known about the long-term effects of participation in these programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the educational enhancements of URE participation from the perspective of practicing scientists in chemistry and physics. Data used in this analysis are from a national mixed-methods study, which sought to investigate the transition from graduate student to practicing scientist. Respondents (n = 4,300) provided extensive data regarding their demographic and educational backgrounds, motivations, research, and professional experiences. Initial findings indicate UREs afford students a multitude of long-term enhancements, with the largest being exposure to genuine research, building of confidence to conduct research, and development of laboratory techniques. Although research type was found to have a limited effect on reported outcomes, the findings of this study support the value of UREs structured in collaborative student--mentor models that are based on the individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the evaluation of high school biology, chemistry, and physics teachers by their students is examined according to the gender of the student and the gender of the teacher. Female teachers are rated significantly lower than male teachers by male students in all three disciplines, whereas female students underrate female teachers only in physics. Interestingly, physics is also the field that suffers the greatest lack of females and has been criticized most for its androcentric culture. The gender bias in teacher ratings persists even when accounting for academic performance, classroom experiences, and family support. Furthermore, male and female teachers in each discipline appear equally effective at preparing their students for future science study in college, suggesting that students have a discipline-specific gender bias. Such a bias may negatively impact female students and contribute to the loss of females in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed93:827–845, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article identifies gender differences in the high school physics experiences and background of students in introductory college physics courses in the United States. It discusses the use of data from a project entitled "Factors Influencing College Science Success." The article determines how the experiences of males and females who took introductory college physics differ.

Research shows that early scientific interest is associated with science degree completion and career selection. However, little is known about the conditions that support early scientific interest. Using a "funds of knowledge" theoretical framework, this study examined the role of parents, family, and extended social networks in fostering early interest in science. Using interview narratives from 116 scientists (physicists and chemists) in the United States, we conducted a qualitative thematic content analysis. Findings suggest that children who become scientists in adulthood often received early, informal opportunities to use and manipulate material objects and discover how the world works. Second, families used a wide variety of scientific terms at home and encouraged children to pursue their interests whether in science or other fields. Third, these future scientists were often networked with extended family members or friends to observe and do science when they were quite young. Collectively, these findings highlight the specific ways in which families fostered early scientific interest and aided in supporting a student-directed learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing research has examined if undergraduate factors influence chemistry and physics, or physical science, doctoral degree entry and whether variables during PhD programs associate with graduation. Yet research on the transition from bachelor’s degree to doctoral degree entry (i.e., PhD entry in less than 6 months, attainment of a master’s degree prior to doctoral degree entry, or working in a science-related job for more than a year prior to doctoral degree entry) on PhD degree graduation remains scarce. Our study examines the transition from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees to see if experiences therein associate with female PhD graduation, after doctoral degree enrollment. Our logistic regression analysis, of female chemistry and physics doctorates (n = 867), indicated that attainment of a master’s degree did not change the likelihood of graduation, when compared to direct entry into physical science doctoral programs. Meanwhile working in a science-related job for a year or more is associated with a significantly lower likelihood of physical science doctoral graduation when compared to women who entered directly into PhD programs or received a master’s degree prior to enrollment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between self-efficacy and maintenance of interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) resulting in completion of an undergraduate degree in a science related area. To pursue this analysis, the researchers surveyed 3,510 graduates from selective specialized science high schools within the United States as well as 603 same age participants in Talent Search programs who did not graduate from a specialized science high school. Using binary logistic regression analysis, the researchers identified individual-level variables associated with the decision by both groups of high-ability adolescents to earn an undergraduate degree in STEM. These variables include self-efficacy and stability of interest in science, mathematics, and/or technology, and suggest that both specialized science high schools and Talent Search programs both serve equally well as incubators of talent for adolescents with a proclivity for STEM related disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This exploratory qualitative study investigated how doctoral students reported their personal and professional interaction experiences that they believed might facilitate or impede their academic pursuits in biomedical research. We collected 19 in-depth interviews with doctoral students in biomedical research from eight universities, and we based our qualitative analytic approach on the work of Miles and Huberman. The results indicated that among different sources and types of interaction, academic and emotional interactions from family and teachers in various stages essentially affected students’ persistence in the biomedical science field. In addition, co-mentorship among peers, departmental environment, and volunteer experiences were other essential factors. This study also found related experiences among women and underrepresented minority students that were important to their academic pursuit. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The conflict between the amount of material to be addressed in high school science classes, the need to prepare students for standardized tests, and the amount of time available forces science educators to make difficult pedagogical decisions on a daily basis. Hands-on and inquiry-based learning offer students more authentic learning experiences with benefits beyond test scores. However, these alternative teaching/learning techniques can be more time consuming than textbook use and exacerbate the conflict between pedagogy and time. The study reported in this article questioned 2712 college Biology students about their high school science experiences. Analyses indicate that the amount of time spent reading biology texts does not influence learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study relates the performance of college students in introductory science courses to the amount of content covered in their high school science courses. The sample includes 8310 students in introductory biology, chemistry, or physics courses in 55 randomly chosen U.S. colleges and universities. Students who reported covering at least 1 major topic in depth, for a month or longer, in high school were found to earn higher grades in college science than did students who reported no coverage in depth. Students reporting breadth in their high school course, covering all major topics, did not appear to have any advantage in chemistry or physics and a significant disadvantage in biology. Care was taken to account for significant covariates: socioeconomic variables, English and mathematics proficiency, and rigor of their preparatory high science course. Alternative operationalizations of depth and breadth variables result in very similar findings. We conclude that teachers should use their judgment to reduce coverage in high school science courses and aim for mastery by extending at least 1 topic in depth over an extended period of time. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed93:798–826, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Add Health data, the authors provide evidence that some adolescents gave inaccurate and/or invalid responses on a self-administered questionnaire. Further analyses show that these adolescents were much more likely to report extreme levels on psychosocial and behavioral outcome variables. A distinction was made between inaccurate responders (e.g., inaccurate/false responses due to carelessness or confusion) and jokesters (e.g., intentional false responses). The findings show that the jokesters showed considerably more pronounced distorting effects on some psychosocial and behavioral outcome variables than the inaccurate responders did. The authors suggest that although this jokester effect may not seriously bias the results in studies that focus on large groups, for research focusing on some special subgroups (e.g., adoption groups, immigrant groups, disability groups), this effect could pose a serious challenge for the validity of research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]