Potential and Problems of Explicit Research Skill Development in Undergraduate Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Geology

Abstract

The Research Skill Development (RSD) framework has been used in numerous disciplines in a variety of universities as a conceptual model to aid academics to explicitly and incrementally develop the undergraduate student skills associated with research in a discipline. In the sciences, it has been used successfully in Agricultural Science, Animal and Veterinary Science, Medical Science and other Biological sciences. However, there is no known uptake of its use in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Geology. This Round Table is an invitation to academics from the latter group of sciences to participate in an open-ended discussion around the potential and problems associated with explicit research skill development of undergraduate students in their disciplines. The RSD framework will be considered as a point of departure through outlining its use in the Biological sciences. Participants may suggest different approaches to using the RSD or modifications to the framework to make it more suitable, or propose alternative pathways to appropriately developing undergraduate students research skills. Considerations of the similarities and differences between the biological sciences and other sciences at practical and philosophical levels may also illuminate the discussion. Some attendees may choose to become part of the ALTC project that utilises the RSD as its conceptual framework.