Training and assessing undergraduate medical students' research: Learning, engagement and experiences of students and staff

Background: The development of research skills is an important aspect of undergraduate medical training that facilitates the practice of evidence-based medicine. The inclusion of research training into undergraduate medical curricula can take various formats and is compulsory for all students at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine (NRMSM). The evaluation of this training is important, both to ensure that students obtain the required research skills and to improve the quality of the training. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate undergraduate medical students' and staff learning, engagement and experiences in the training and assessment of third-year research projects. Setting: This research was conducted at NRMSM, South Africa. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to third-year medical students after they completed their research project poster presentations and to the staff who assessed the presentations. Responses to the learning process, group work, alignment between module outcomes and assessment and the benefits of poster presentations were assessed. Results: A total of 215 students and 10 staff completed the questionnaire. Many students reported having enjoyed learning about research (78%) and that the training activities facilitated their understanding of the research process (84%). The majority of students (86%) and staff (80%) perceived the posters as an effective way to demonstrate students' ability to collect, analyse and interpret data. Conclusion: Staff and students viewed the research process positively and reported that the poster presentations were an effective way to assess research.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the learning, engagement, and experiences of undergraduate medical students and staff at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine in the training and assessment of third-year research projects. Findings indicate that both students and staff perceived poster presentations as an effective method to assess research skills. Students reported enjoyment in learning about research and that the training activities facilitated their understanding of the research process.