Meeting Abstract
The measurement and analysis of phenotypes is often a rate-limiting step for many integrative organismal studies but engaging undergraduate researchers can help overcome this challenge. We present a practical guide to implementing a quantitative specimen-based Classroom Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) that trains students to collect phenotypic data and mentors them through the entire scientific process using the data they help to collect. Direct access to specimens is not necessary to implement this undergraduate research experience, as recent efforts to digitize museum collections along with online image archives allow data extraction to take place in any classroom. The processes of science are covered in four equal sections: 1) Data collection training 2) Hypothesis development 3) Analytical methods 4) Interpretation, evaluation and presentation. We focus on hypothesis development and quantitative skills, as they are essential for modern biological discovery but are rarely emphasized in traditional lecture-based classes. We provide suggestions for how to guide students through hypothesis development by first engaging them with the scientific literature and then going through multiple rounds of hypothesis writing, critiquing and further development. We also provide tips for teaching basic programming concepts, data visualization, analytical reasoning and data interpretation using the R software environment for statistical computing. We have run this experience, focusing on collecting and analyzing body shape data across fishes, at two institutions with a total of 39 students. It has so far resulted in 14 research talks and 4 posters presented by students at local symposia, with 2 scientific papers in preparation.
