Scientific Reasoning

Scientific reasoning is defined as the ability to recognize and understand the scientific method, concepts, processes, and applications used in the pursuit of knowledge. Scientific literacy prepares individuals to make informed decisions and engage with issues related to the natural, physical, and social world. Degree graduates will recognize and know how to apply the scientific method, and evaluate empirical information.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Generate an empirically evidenced and logical argument
• Distinguish a scientific argument from a non-scientific argument
• Reason by deduction, induction, and analogy
• Distinguish between causal and correlational relationships
• Recognize methods of inquiry that lead to scientific knowledge

Sample: Students who are considered prospective graduates. This group includes students enrolled in a degree program and who have earned 40 or more credits and are enrolled in BIO 101, BIO 102, MTH 155 and/or MTH 245. Assignments for these students will be collected regardless of instructional modality (online, hybrid, in-person).

Measures:

Direct- Professional Readiness will be assessed utilizing course-embedded assignments. The course-embedded assignments will be collected from the following general education courses: BIO 101, BIO 102, MTH 155 and/or MTH 245. Student work will be evaluated with a rubric using the Association of American College & Universities open source rubric as a template.

Indirect- Camp’s Graduate Survey

Target: 80% of students will score a (3) or higher, on direct assessment, which demonstrates proficiency.

Findings:

Direct: In AY 2019-20, 40 students were enrolled in the designated courses that meet the criteria set out in Camp’s Assessment Plan. Of these the work of 21 students were randomly selected for review. Nine (9) students scored between 1.5 and 2.9 on their submissions and the other 12 between 3.0 and 4.0. Based on these results only 57% of students met the target. Weakness included students investigations that are too board, elements of the methodology are incorrectly developed and/or unfocused.

Indirect:

Graduate Survey

% Moderate and Great Extent

Action Plan: The General Education Workgroup modified the courses and assignments used for this assessment. During 2019-20 assessment year that there was an issue with certain sections of BIO and the laboratory assignment. All the instructions for each assignment were reviewed and made uniform to ensure the same instructions over sections of each course. Scientific reasoning will be assessed next in 2022-23.