Evaluation Core

Focus

The premise for the evaluation of student outcomes associated with our program is the notion that students who have a quality research experience in the biomedical laboratory of a competitively funded investigator are more likely to develop a career in biomedical research.

INBRE funding has an immediate impact on ability of faculty to conduct research, gain research independence and involve students in their research projects. There is also an impact on institutions because faculty release from teaching is a necessary catalyst in the development of research activity. Thus, the campus climate regarding acceptance of research as an important activity at regional universities is expected to have an effect on student involvement in research, and implicitly, a positive impact on student learning.

While the context or changes at campus level are extremely important, the initial focus of the evaluation study is on student learning outcomes.