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Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

Finding SoTL Journals

By its nature, higher education research literature – including SoTL – is interdisciplinary. ​ Scholars publish on teaching and learning both in their disciplinary journals and in interdisciplinary, education-focused journals. As such, to complete a thorough search of the SoTL literature, researchers should look in a variety of venues, including across several databases and in specific journals.  

This section of the guide allows to you link directly to relevant journals in a variety of disciplines. Clicking on a journal title will take you to the Library's resource page of that journal title - some titles have multiple listings, and some titles have multiple options for accessing the resource. 

You will have to log in with your MacID and password to access the resources from off-campus. 

 

Note that this list is in no way exhaustive. If you have any recommendations, please contact us at liblearn@mcmaster.ca 

Multidisciplinary SoTL Journals

The University of Toronto Libraries maintains a page on multidisciplinary SoTL journals, which you can find here. Consulting this list will provide an excellent starting point for searching the SoTL literature across the disciplines. 

In particular, McMaster SoTL researchers may find the following journal titles of interest: 

Disciplinary SoTL Journals

Science

Advances in Health Sciences Education

The Journal includes articles on topics such as admissions, problem-based and self-directed learning, faculty development, achievement testing, motivation, curriculum development, curricular comparisons, program evaluation, expertise development, clinical reasoning, continuing education, community-based education, and communication skills

Anatomical Sciences Education

Education in the anatomical and physiological sciences. In particular, education in gross anatomy, embryology, histology, neurosciences, physiology, biomedical, and life sciences. The journal covers all levels of education including, undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, nursing, allied health, veterinary, medical (both allopathic and osteopathic), and dental.

Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching

An international journal for mathematics and science teachers of all levels. Articles cover various aspects of computer literacy and much more.

Journal of Research in Science Teaching

Includes investigations employing qualitative, ethnographic, historical, survey, philosophical, case study research, quantitative, experimental, quasi-experimental, data mining, and data analytics approaches; position papers; policy perspectives; critical reviews of the literature; and comments and criticism.

Research in Science and Technological Education

An original research journal publishing international perspectives on science and/or design technology education. Includes scholarly research that investigates and interrogates the psychological, sociological, economic and organizational aspects of science and design technology education, as well as developments within the global curriculum.

Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education

Includes research investigations using experimental, qualitative, ethnographic, historical, philosophical, or case study approaches; critical reviews of the literature; policy perspectives; and position papers, curriculum arguments, and discussion of issues in teacher education.


Biology

Advances in Physiology Education

Peer-reviewed descriptions of innovations that improve teaching in the classroom and laboratory, essays on education, and review articles based on our current understanding of physiological mechanisms.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education

A journal aimed to enhance teacher preparation and student learning in biochemistry, molecular biology, and related sciences such as biophysics and cell biology.

CBE Life Sciences Education (name changed in 2005 from Cell Biology Education)

Peer-reviewed articles on life science education at the K–12, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Focuses on how students are introduced to the study of life sciences, as well as approaches in cell biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and proteomics.

Journal of Biological Education

The journal provides a forum where the latest advances in research into the teaching, learning and assessment of biology can contribute to policy and practice in biological education for all ages. 

Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education

Publishes discipline based education research, educational perspectives and insights, and tools for teaching microbiology and related disciplines. Articles address topics such as STEM education research, pedagogy and course design, student engagement and motivation, citizen science, education transformation.

The American Biology Teacher

A nationally recognized journal, offers articles on recent advances in biology and life science, instructional activities for the classroom and laboratory, and interdisciplinary programs.


Chemistry

Journal of Chemical Education

Publishes peer-reviewed articles and related information as a resource to those in the field of chemical education and to those institutions that serve them. The journal typically addresses chemical content, laboratory experiments, instructional methods, and pedagogies.

Chemistry Education Research and Practice

The journal for teachers, researchers and other practitioners in chemistry education.


Mathematics and Statistics

Journal for Research in Mathematics Education

An official journal of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), JRME is the premier research journal in mathematics education and is devoted to the interests of teachers and researchers at all levels--preschool through college.

Journal of Statistics Education

Mathematics Education Research Journal

The Mathematics Education Research Journal seeks to present research that promotes new knowledge, ideas, methodologies and epistemologies in the field of mathematics education.

Statistics Education Research Journal 

SERJ aims to advance research-based knowledge that can help to improve the teaching, learning, and understanding of statistics or probability at all educational levels and in both formal (classroom-based) and informal (out-of-classroom) contexts.

The Mathematics Teacher

Devoted to improving mathematics instruction from grade 8-14 and supporting teacher education programs. It provides a forum for sharing activities and pedagogical strategies, deepening understanding of mathematical ideas, and linking mathematics education research to practice.

 

Physics and Astronomy

Astronomy Education Review

Astronomy Education Review is an online journal for those interested in astronomy and space science education, in either formal or informal settings. It includes refereed journal articles on the results of astronomy education research.

The American Journal of Physics

The mission of the American Journal of Physics (AJP) is to publish articles on the educational and cultural aspects of physics that are useful, interesting, and accessible to a diverse audience of physics students, educators, and researchers. 

The Physical Review: Special Topics: Physics Education Research 

The journal covers the full array of experimental and theoretical research relating to the teaching and learning of physics and astronomy. PRPER is the only fully open access journal for physics education research.

Physics Education 

Physics Education is the international journal for everyone involved with the teaching of physics in schools and colleges. The articles reflect the needs and interests of secondary school teachers, teacher trainers and those involved with courses up to introductory undergraduate level.

The Physics Teacher

TPT publishes peer-reviewed papers on the teaching of introductory physics and on topics such as contemporary physics, applied physics, and the history of physics.

Open Access SoTL

A new open journal on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning has been released. It is called "Open Scholarship of Teaching and Learning": 

oSoTL is an open access and open peer review journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. The ethos of the journal is collegiality and open scholarship, with the aim to make submissions as accessible as possible.

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