1450Exeperiential Note on Enhancing Epidemiological Studies through Supervision of Postgraduate Research on Scaffolded Thesis-by-Publication

Abstract

Abstract Focus of Presentation Most researchers are based in universities, and their research performance site is often metropolitan and urban cities. The effect is that scope of epidemiological studies has largely been without keen interest at the primary healthcare level. A pathway that this could have been addressed is teaching-research nexus in students’ research supervision. Hence in 2013, a research program was started and focused in primary health promotion. The program involved novel application of a known idea, whereby students do scaffold thesis-by-publication. Over the years, observations of students’ behaviour regarding the program are being made. This report narrates 7 years’ experience from Nigeria. Findings In the 7 years, 44 research students (3 PhDs, 20 Masters and 21 Hons) have passed through the program. Among the 21 Hons, 1 has volunteered to remain a collaborator and ‘unpaid’ Research Assistant in the program. Currently, 11 PhD candidates including 8/20 (40%) Masters’ degree graduates who are scaling up their work. In the year 2020, 4 of the PhD candidates have gone on to epidemiological study as well as primary healthcare performance evaluation of their local government areas in terms of public health problem of research interest. All students expressed being motivated by the publications. Conclusions/Implications Taking research students through thesis-by-publication journey is one approach to advance epidemiological studies. Making the students do the work on their own community advances health promotion, outreach to rural areas and primary health perspectives. Key messages Teaching-research nexus buoyed with thesis-by-publication can advance teaching and communication of epidemiology.