Evidence-based Approach to Teaching Scientific Literature

A course in scientific literature analysis was developed for first year hygiene students using current scientific manuscripts to illustrate basic concepts in statistics and epidemiology. In-class presentations are tailored to follow the format of a research manuscript. Groups of students are assigned different manuscripts at the beginning of the course along with detailed rubrics explaining the responses required as well as a sample manuscript with detailed responses. Daily assignments are given to reinforce scientific concepts. Written feedback is given daily via Blackboard. Students present the results of their manuscript analyses to the entire class at the conclusion of the course.