Just Figures: A Method to Introduce Students to Data Analysis One Figure at a Time.

ABSTRACT: Quantitative data analysis skills are basic competencies students in a STEM field should master. In this article, we describe a classroom activity using isolated figures from papers as a simple exercise to practice data analysis skills. We call this approach Just Figures. With this technique, instructors find figures from primary papers that address key concepts related to several of their course learning objectives. These figures are assigned as homework prior to class discussion. In class, instructors teach the lesson and include a 10- to 20-minute discussion of the figures assigned. Frequent and repeated discussion of paper figures during class increased students' confidence in reading and analyzing data. The Just Figures approach also increased student accuracy when interpreting data.

SUBMITTER: Massimelli J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6608704 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature