A Multifaceted Lesson on TEM, Image Analysis, and Emerging Concerns in Image Manipulation

We present a low-cost, hands-on activity to introduce undergraduate students to image interpretation, digital image analysis, and current ethical issues around data bearing images in the literature. Here, a flatbed scanner was utilized to prepare “pseudo-TEM” images that emulated the properties of TEM micrographs. These were used for a series of image analysis activities incorporating ImageJ. Then, students were engaged in a discussion about image manipulation and scientific fraud. Students further engaged with their skills of image interpretation by identifying image manipulations in known cases of image fraud. Due to the use of alternative resources, this activity was low-cost and did not require any specialized equipment or materials. Student responses to the activities were generally positive and students demonstrated mild learning gains.