Introducing Experimental Design Concepts Improves Biochemistry Undergraduates' Experimental Laboratory Competence and Confidence

Laboratory science education can provide a training ground for developing experimental design capabilities, the ability to critically assess a range of laboratory methods, and confidence in selecting, adapting, and performing laboratory techniques. However, traditional, fail-safe, protocol-based laboratories provide little opportunity for students to develop these cognitive abilities. We introduced experimental design elements into a second-year undergraduate biochemistry laboratory. Using a guided inquiry model, we show that students improve their self-perceived and externally measured ability to critically assess laboratory methods, design experiments, and adapt protocols (experimental laboratory competence) and gain confidence in adapting protocols and applying technical laboratory knowledge to new situations (experimental laboratory confidence). Furthermore, students on the whole reported enjoying engaging with experimental design.