Neurosci Critical Readings

1 Credit · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

With the facilitation by a faculty member, the students read and critically evaluate current research literature. All students are responsible for reading and “dissecting” every paper; one paper is read and critically analyzed for two weeks. The class is conducted by the students, as in the case of “problem-based [case-based] learning”, where the research article is treated as the “case.” Analysis is conducted by identifying the “given” facts from previous research and the hypotheses that the authors are attempting “to prove.” The methods (Experimental Design) and results are critically examined in the context of the hypotheses. Before evaluating the conclusions, the class generates a list of questions and “Learning Objectives” which they fulfill by researching previous literature prior to the second week. The second session begins with a discussion of the information relevant to the Learning Objectives and the questions raised during the first week are answered before critically evaluating the conclusions of the paper. The faculty member helps to facilitate the discussion and maintain a good balance of student participation.