Scaffolding Marine Science Research Experiences to Promote Data Integrity

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) engage science, technology, engineering, and math undergraduates in authentic research experiences. CUREs provide an opportunity to infuse training that is essential for future researchers. As responsible and ethical conduct is central to research and scientific practice, the incorporation of responsible and ethical conduct of research (RECR) in CUREs is an exciting learning target. This exploratory research reports on the use of RECR in a lower division introductory course, an upper division advanced course, and a culminating capstone experience in marine science. Students successfully created student-generated research questions, identified appropriate data sources to answer those questions, and generated figures with accurate conclusions. Through CUREs, students engaged in scientific explanations in a research presentation with a focus on the responsible conduct of research.