Microbiology: A Laboratory Experience

Reviewed by Veerachandra Yemmireddy, Assistant Professor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on 12/21/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

“Microbiology: A Laboratory Experience” is designed as a comprehensive laboratory manual for undergraduate students in microbiology and allied disciplines. This manual covered topics such as general introduction, microscopy, bacterial culture methods, staining techniques, biochemical tests, antimicrobial susceptibility tests. It also included a chapter consisting of guided activities focusing on human skin microbiome. In addition, topics such as microbial food safety, epidemiology and public health were also discussed. Although this book covered different topics in microbiology, I felt this book could have provided users with a more comprehensive understanding of microbiology concepts in a more structured and systematic approach. I felt this manual is too focused on a few topics and some of the activities suggested could be more useful for clinical microbiology students.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

I did not see any errors in terms of accuracy in the content provided. However, certain generalized statements in certain parts of the manual should be revisited with the current scientific understanding to ensure the accuracy of the content

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

The contents of the manual are relevant to the field. Certain fundamental concepts such as adjusting the microscope to get better images, difference between magnification and resolution, various biochemical tests and their significance in clinical context are well discussed and useful to students.

Clarity rating: 3

I found the manual is simple to follow and use but it is text heavy. Users should spend a significant amount of time reading the content in the text format. This could be improved by adding more figures, images and flow diagrams, etc.

Consistency rating: 3

Yes! This manual has used consistent terminology. However, providing definitions of the terminology when first used in the manual would help students to better understand the content

Modularity rating: 2

As mentioned, I found this manual requires user to spend reading the text heavy portion of the content. This limits the user to navigate through different sections at will to make them self-explanatory and standalone topics.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 2

Organization of topics in this manual can be improved. Terminologies such as gram staining technique and all are used in the beginning chapters without introducing these concepts earlier. This way of organizing content makes it difficult for the students to follow the content.

Interface rating: 1

Quality of images and figures are not good.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

None

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

NA

Comments

Overall, this laboratory manual is a useful reference for undergraduate students in microbiology and allied fields. The quality of this manual can be improved with better organization, structure, good quality images and figures, flow diagrams.

Reviewed by Katina Harris-Carter, Associate Professor, Tidewater Community College on 11/17/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This laboratory manual is concise and provides a broad scope of topics performed in introductory microbiology laboratories. The lab manual had minimal focus on eukaryotic microbes and viruses. In my opinion, the lab manual could be used for biological science and allied health students (i.e. nursing, physician assistant, etc.). After comparing the table of contents of this lab manual to the American Society of Microbiology's guidelines for an undergraduate microbiology curriculum, most of the competencies are addressed. The lab manual is well organized. It includes easy to understand protocols, applicable tables/diagrams, and data collection worksheets.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The content that I reviewed in the Microbiology lab manual was accurate and unbiased. It included charts, diagrams, pictures, and references.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The content of this lab manual was up-to-date. It begins with biosafety, microscopy, and general techniques used in microbiology lab; moves into staining techniques, growth and metabolism; a section on food safety, public health, and epidemiology; and ends with a writing activity on the Microbe Mythbuster (i.e. research project). In my opinion, these labs can be modified as needed to fit curricular updates or budgetary/bacteria availability constraints.

Clarity rating: 5

The lab manual was easy to understand, well organized, and well written. The tone was approachable and relevant for the student. The data collection worksheets and protocols were easy to follow.

Consistency rating: 5

The flow of content and formatting was consistent throughout the lab manual. Each lab topic begins with a comprehensible discussion, step by step instructions, and easy to follow worksheets.

Modularity rating: 5

The lab manual and table of contents have a nice flow. At the discretion of the instructor, the topics can be rearranged /realigned with minimal disruption to the reader.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The lab manual is well organized. The lab protocols are very clear and easy to follow by the instructor and student.

Interface rating: 5

I accessed the lab manual as a pdf and online. With both versions, the images, charts, and diagrams were undistorted. Color images were clear.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not encounter any grammatical or spelling errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The lab manual is scientific and focused on microbes that impact all ethnicities, races, and backgrounds. I did not encounter any offensive or insensitive material or cultural biases.

Reviewed by Renfang Taylor, Assistant Professor, Anderson University on 11/16/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This lab experience covers all the aspects for Microbiology lab needs. It could be used for Biology major students and nursing major students. I like it divided the contents with bacterial shapes for physiology, metabolism and growth characteristics. It is also handy to have the Epidemiology and Public Health and Microbiological Food Safety chapters in this Manuel.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The contents in this lab Manuel are accurate with the tables, pictures, references.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Contents are up-to-date with new technologies used in Mycology!

Clarity rating: 5

The text is written in lucid accessible prose with all the tables, pictures, and references.

Consistency rating: 5

The text is consistent from introduction to Appendix.

Modularity rating: 5

The text is easily to use in each different sections with the clearly division through the contents and the tables, forms.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The lab manual is organized in very clear and logical way for teachers and students to pick up!

Interface rating: 5

The text has clear label and instructions for each topic!

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The text is very well written in terms of the language!

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The text is from the scientific view and did not show any culturally or personal opinions and impacts.

Comments

The Microbes Mythbuster chapter could use a clearer title as other chapters such as Research Project Guide.

Reviewed by Katherine Buhrer, Assistant Professor, Biology, Tidewater Community College on 6/23/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This lab book covers a wide array of pertinent topics that are key to an introductory microbiology lab course. It begins with a discussion Biosafety Levels and best practices in the lab, with great links to ASM and CDC resources. Use of the microscope is covered in a succinct manner with enough information to be useful but not so much as to be tedious. Bacterial culture methods with opportunities for practical application are plentiful and look like they could be easily adapted to individual course needs. Staining is well covered as is metabolism, physiology and growth. The food safety section utilizes various types of selective and differential media and introduces a practical application of lab skills with the exercise on food contamination. The book includes labs on antibiotic sensitivity, epidemiology and blood smears. The Microbe Mythbuster lab at the end is a great way to incorporate Scientific Literacy assessment into the course. I did not see a glossary although there are several appendices which look to be quite helpful. The reason for the 4 instead of 5 is that while I think the book covers the included topics well, I would like to see some additional sections address microbes other than bacteria a little more thoroughly.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I found the book to be very accurate in terms of the information, photos and drawings. I did not see any errors, typo or otherwise.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The topics included in the text are relevant (Biosafety, microscope use, basic microbiology lab techniques) and will be useful now and into the future. The bacterial metabolism, growth and physiology labs will also be relevant well into the future and easily allow individual courses/instructors to pick and choose the media used based on availability etc. Updates should be easy to incorporate and the Scientific Literacy section has so many options for use, it would be not be difficult to modify it for just about any intro microbiology lab course.

Clarity rating: 5

The text is VERY well written, easy to understand and the questions, worksheets and tables to fill in are well organized and very clearly written/setup.

Consistency rating: 5

The text is very consistent in content depth and discussion. It explains topics in an understandable way and provides so many practical applications of the material, I think students will relate to the content and exercises very well. This text is very well organized and flows from one topic to the next so nicely.

Modularity rating: 5

This text lends itself to reorganization by the instructor, based on course needs. As I perused the text, I could easily navigate the topics and definitely can see where an instructor could realign the order for many of the of the sections to meet the needs of their course.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The course of material through the text is well organized. Steps to exercises are well written and logical in sequence.

Interface rating: 5

All images drawings and diagrams are well presented. Color photos are clear, no blurriness. Charts are organized and fit well into the material.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not see any grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I saw no incidences of any topics that would be considered culturally insensitive. I would consider all of the topics covered in the text to be inclusive as the microbes and topics chosen would be relevant to all races, ethnicities and backgrounds.