JoinCase Study
The Role of Question-Asking in Mentoring Undergraduate Research
Journal of College Science Teaching—January/February 2023 (Volume 52, Issue 3)
By Sara L. Johnson and George M. Bodner
Undergraduate research is a high-impact educational practice for which effective mentoring has been identified as a key factor in determining its success. Some researchers have argued that effective mentors help increase students’ independence and ownership of the research project. This case study used conversation analysis to examine recorded interactions between an early-career postdoctoral mentor and a first-year undergraduate research student within the context of “mentoring by questioning” in a biochemistry research group. The study was based on three guiding research questions: What norms of discourse frame conversations about independence and ownership of research? How are the norms of discourse established? What impact do these conversations have on the undergraduate research experience? Analysis of the data collected in this study suggested three ways in which the mentor used the discursive tool of question-asking to guide conversations with the undergraduate research student: encouraging scientific observations, shifting responsibility, and encouraging critical thinking.
Undergraduate research is a high-impact educational practice for which effective mentoring has been identified as a key factor in determining its success. Some researchers have argued that effective mentors help increase students’ independence and ownership of the research project. This case study used conversation analysis to examine recorded interactions between an early-career postdoctoral mentor and a first-year undergraduate research student within the context of “mentoring by questioning” in a biochemistry research group.
Undergraduate research is a high-impact educational practice for which effective mentoring has been identified as a key factor in determining its success. Some researchers have argued that effective mentors help increase students’ independence and ownership of the research project. This case study used conversation analysis to examine recorded interactions between an early-career postdoctoral mentor and a first-year undergraduate research student within the context of “mentoring by questioning” in a biochemistry research group.
January/February 2023
Volume 52, Number 3
This issue of JCST offers a study that investigated how stress related to the COVID-19 disruption of the spring 2020 semester affected TAs’ self-efficacy.
January/February 2023
Volume 52, Number 3
This issue of JCST offers a study that investigated how stress related to the COVID-19 disruption of the spring 2020 semester affected TAs’ self-efficacy.
January/February 2023
Volume 52, Number 3
This issue of JCST offers a study that investigated how stress related to the COVID-19 disruption of the spring 2020 semester affected TAs’ self-efficacy.
COPA Syndrome
Adventures in Intracellular Transport
By Madison Hossack, Kenneth W. Yip
special issue
Ancient Antimicrobials
An Inquiry-Based Look at the Social Context Behind Microbes
The Science Teacher—January/February 2023 (Volume 90, Issue 3)
By Akacia Halliday-Isaac and Brooke A. Whitworth
special issue
It’s Worth a Shot
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information on Viruses and Vaccines
feature
Is That Plausible?
How to Evaluate Scientific Evidence and Claims in a Post-Truth World
The Science Teacher—January/February 2023 (Volume 90, Issue 3)
By Imogen R. Herrick, Gale M. Sinatra, and Doug Lombardi
special issue
An Evolution in Teaching Natural Selection
Modeling Antibiotic Resistance
special issue
Right Under Our Noses
GIS Exploration of COVID-19 and Air Quality
The Science Teacher—January/February 2023 (Volume 90, Issue 3)
By Latesia Coleman and Heather O’Leary
special issue
Using Multiple Models to Learn about COVID-19
The Science Teacher—January/February 2023 (Volume 90, Issue 3)
By Jamie Elsner, Troy Sadler, Eric Kirk, Rebecca Rawson, Patricia Friedrichsen, and Li Ke
Special Issue on Immunology
Guest Editors: Colby Tofel-Grehl and Brooke A.
Special Issue on Immunology
Guest Editors: Colby Tofel-Grehl and Brooke A.