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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE We seek to evaluate the effectiveness of exposing BIO 105 students to an “Ethics Intervention”. BIO105 is the entry-level biology course at MWSU developed specifically for Biology Majors, although some non-majors will take this course if it is appropriate for their career goals. Activities within this course are designed to assist our majors as they proceed through the diversity of required courses in biology, chemistry and math-related sciences. This course is writing-intensive and emphasizes an investigative approach that involves much data analysis and interpretation of experimental results. BIO105 constitutes a General Studies science elective course at MWSU. For several years a professor of Philosophy has been a guest lecturer in the course on the topic of ethical theory as it relates to the life sciences. The lectures are accompanied by a case study writing assignment which emphasize several key aspects of general studies courses: writing and speaking clearly and effectively; thinking critically and reasoning analytically. A major thread throughout BIO105 is the emphasis on the “process” of science. The “Ethics interventions” are designed to deepen student understanding of both the process of writing in biology, and its relationship to writing in other disciplines, as well as familiarize students with some of the conceptual apparatus of normative ethical theory. We wish to utilize pre- and post-testing to evaluate any change in our student’s beliefs about the nature of morality, morality’s relationship to science, and ability to recognize ethical values that are relevant to the practice of scientific enquiry. STATEMENT OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY We have developed an assessment instrument which consists of 30 questions, three of which will be administered only during the post-test. These questions are meant to measure student beliefs about morality, its relationship to the practice of scientific enquiry, as well as their ability to recognize moral concepts in different scenarios. We wish to administer this exam during the first month of the semester in BIO105 and then administer it as a post-test during the final week of the semester. There will also be a control group with a group of BIO 101 students (the nonmajors introductory biology course) who will not be exposed to the interventions. Each answer sheet will be marked with the student’s name and G number. This is to facilitate a paired-samples analysis of data in this pre and post test analysis. Student individual scores will be treated with confidentiality. Participation in the project in the pretest constitutes a score for a quiz in the laboratory portion of the BIO105 student’s grade and either a lab or lecture quiz in BIO 101. Participation yields a 100% score for the student. Participation in the project as a post-test also constitutes a score for a quiz in the laboratory portion of the BIO105 student’s grade and either a lab or lecture quiz in BIO 101. Since participation is voluntary, a student who wishes not to participate will be given an alternative assignment graded in the same way. ANTICIPATED RISKS AND BENEFITS This study poses no risk to our students other than the minimal risk. SUBJECT SELECTION The assessment exam will be completed by all students enrolled in BIO105 during the Fall (approximately 96 students) and Spring (approximately 50 students) Semesters. In addition, we will occasionally administer the exam to BIO101 lecture sections(approximately 200 students) or a lab section (approximately 20 students). CONFIDENTIALITY Student individual scores will be treated with confidentiality. Assessment exams will be kept locked in the investigator’s office. Any published data resulting from this study will not identify individual students. All records will be destroyed when study is complete. PRIMARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENT Click for Word Document Extension Request on 01-10-2012 We have collected one semester's worth of data on students. We will be incorporating the same intervention in the BIO 105 courses during Spring 2012 and would like to collect a second set of data. Extension Request on 01-10-2012 We have collected one set of data. We will be repeating the intervention during Spring 2012 in Bio 105. We would like to collect a second set of data. Extension Request on 01-10-2012 We still need to collect data from a second set of students during SP 2012. Extension Request on 01-10-2012 We need to collect more data from a second run of the intervention. Extension Request on 01-10-2012 We need to collect a new set of data from both the beginning and the end of the SP 2012 semester. Extension Request on 01-10-2012 We need to collect the data after the mid semester intervention has been completed. Extension Request on 01-10-2012 The interventions will be completed in April and we will collect the post data just before finals. Extension Request on 04-18-2012 Extension Request on 04-18-2012 Final Report on 04-18-2012 IRB CHAIR COMMENTS changed from closed to active Extension Request on 06-22-2012 We plan on continuing the study for the next academic year. Extension Request on 06-22-2012 Extension Request on 06-22-2012 Extension Request on 06-22-2012 Extension Request on 10-15-2012 Extension Request on 10-15-2012 Extension Request on 10-15-2012 Extension Request on 10-15-2012 Extension Request on 10-15-2012 Extension Request on 03-13-2013 Continuing to issue survey and collect results at least through end of this SP 2013 Extension Request on 03-13-2013 Extension Request on 03-13-2013