Learning Practical Research Skills Using An Academic Paper Framework – An Innovative, Integrated Approach

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a pressing need for effective education to help develop basic research and publication skills among clinicians in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Learning from experience is important for achieving understanding of concepts and acquisition of skills rather than simply recall of facts. MethodsAn innovative research and academic writing skills course was run for 21 participants from two universities in the Philippines. The experientially-based workshop encouraged development of skills and understanding through active involvement. Interaction with tutors and other participants was integral to the process. The novel workshop design linked various phases of the research process to relevant sections of an academic paper, thus integrating activities usually regarded as separate.This paper outlines the structure of the workshop and reports its evaluation through pre- and post-workshop surveys and post-workshop focus groups. ResultsParticipants appreciated the integrated format of the workshop and felt more confident in their ability to plan, conduct and write up research. ConclusionExplicitly linking elements of an academic journal article to the components of developing a research project was successful in promoting learning and understanding of the research process and increased confidence in academic writing in this context and is likely transferable to similar contexts.