title: Using scientific inquiry to increase knowledge of vaccine theory and infectious diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a laboratory activity based on scientific inquiry to educate first-year pharmacy students in the U.S. about vaccination theory and the attributes of common pathogens.
  
  
  METHODS
  The laboratory activity had two principal sections. The first consisted of an interactive game during which students rolled a die to determine outcomes based on a set of pre-determined criteria. In the second section, students generated and tested hypotheses about vaccine theory using a computer simulation that modeled disease transmission within a large population. In each section students were asked to evaluate epidemiological data and make inferences pertinent to vaccination effectiveness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean scores on a knowledge-based assessment given immediately before and immediately after the activity increased from 46% to 71%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A laboratory activity designed to stimulate scientific inquiry within pharmacy students enabled them to increase their knowledge of common vaccines and infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University; Center of Excellence for Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Johnson City, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Zachary F
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Walls
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA.
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Bossaer
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity; Department of Pharmacy Practice, Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cluck
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines