Development and implementation of a competency-based module for teaching research methodology to medical undergraduates.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT Research experience helps an undergraduate student to understand published works, to learn teamwork, and even to consider research as a career. Few medical institutions have attempted to engage undergraduates in research experience. Competency-based medical education has emerged as a core strategy to educate and assess medical students worldwide. AIMS: This study aims to develop and implement a competency-based research methodology training module for undergraduate students and find out students' perception about this. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of mixed design was undertaken in the Department of Community Medicine, UCMS, Delhi, India. METHODOLOGY: A competency-based research training module was developed and implemented with 4th semester undergraduate students posted in the department. Students' feedback about the module was obtained. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED For quantitative variables, means, ranges, medians, and percentages were calculated. To find out students' perception about the posting a qualitative analysis was done. RESULTS: The module was implemented with 25 students posted in the department in May 2017. However, feedback was obtained from 23 students. About 83% of the students reported as highly satisfied with the posting, 61% of the students mentioned that after completion of this posting, they felt motivated to do further research. A qualitative analysis of the feedback showed that students found the project helped them to enhance their knowledge and develop skills. CONCLUSIONS: Competency-based research methodology training can serve as a tool for teaching research methodology to undergraduate students.