LAUSR

Education Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) are designed to engage an entire class in a research question within the context of the course itself. Current research suggests that five distinct core components come together to define a CURE. Ballen et al. used a backward-elimination experimental design to test the importance of two CURE components for non–biology majors: experience of discovery and the production of data. They did not find significant impacts of either component on nonmajors' academic performance, science self-efficacy, sense of project ownership, or perceived value of the CURE. These findings challenge the current definition of what constitutes a CURE and suggest future studies aimed at understanding why different laboratory environments can be effective for both major and nonmajor populations. J. Microbiol. Biol. Educ. 10.1128/jmbe.v19i2.1515 (2018).