Relationship matters: a qualitative study of medical students' experiences in a learner-driven research program in South Korea
Abstract Background Although research experience is important for medical students, it is difficult to develop research skills only through a formal curriculum. To develop research programs that address the authentic needs of students and align with the entirety of the medical school curriculum, a l...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04337-7 |
| _version_ | 1797822806740697088 |
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| author | Hyo Jeong Lee Ye Ji Kang Seung-Hee Lee Yanyan Lin Do-Hwan Kim Jungjoon Ihm |
| author_facet | Hyo Jeong Lee Ye Ji Kang Seung-Hee Lee Yanyan Lin Do-Hwan Kim Jungjoon Ihm |
| author_sort | Hyo Jeong Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Although research experience is important for medical students, it is difficult to develop research skills only through a formal curriculum. To develop research programs that address the authentic needs of students and align with the entirety of the medical school curriculum, a learner-centered approach may be more effective than an instructor-centered approach. This study investigates medical student perspectives on factors that help them develop research competency. Methods Hanyang University College of Medicine in South Korea operates the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) as a supplement to its formal curriculum. Semi-structured interviews were held with 18 students (20 cases) in the program, and qualitative content analysis was performed using the software tool MAXQDA20. Results The findings are discussed in relation to three domains: learner engagement, instructional design, and program development. The students were more engaged when they perceived the program as a new experience, had prior research experience, wanted to make a good impression, and felt a sense of contribution. In terms of instructional design, they positively participated in research when their supervisors respected them, set clear tasks, provided constructive feedback, and invited them into the research community. In particular, the students highly valued relationships with their professors, and these relationships served not only as a main motivating factor in their research participation but also affected their college lives and careers. Conclusions The longitudinal relationship between students and professors has newly emerged in the Korean context as a factor that strengthens student engagement in research and the complementary relationship between formal curriculum and MSTP was highlighted to encourage student engagement in research. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T10:14:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6a935048afbb49a89d42b9a13f1440d0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T10:14:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-6a935048afbb49a89d42b9a13f1440d02023-05-21T11:19:15ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202023-05-0123111110.1186/s12909-023-04337-7Relationship matters: a qualitative study of medical students' experiences in a learner-driven research program in South KoreaHyo Jeong Lee0Ye Ji Kang1Seung-Hee Lee2Yanyan Lin3Do-Hwan Kim4Jungjoon Ihm5Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Seoul National UniversityDepartment of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Hanyang UniversityDental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National UniversityAbstract Background Although research experience is important for medical students, it is difficult to develop research skills only through a formal curriculum. To develop research programs that address the authentic needs of students and align with the entirety of the medical school curriculum, a learner-centered approach may be more effective than an instructor-centered approach. This study investigates medical student perspectives on factors that help them develop research competency. Methods Hanyang University College of Medicine in South Korea operates the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) as a supplement to its formal curriculum. Semi-structured interviews were held with 18 students (20 cases) in the program, and qualitative content analysis was performed using the software tool MAXQDA20. Results The findings are discussed in relation to three domains: learner engagement, instructional design, and program development. The students were more engaged when they perceived the program as a new experience, had prior research experience, wanted to make a good impression, and felt a sense of contribution. In terms of instructional design, they positively participated in research when their supervisors respected them, set clear tasks, provided constructive feedback, and invited them into the research community. In particular, the students highly valued relationships with their professors, and these relationships served not only as a main motivating factor in their research participation but also affected their college lives and careers. Conclusions The longitudinal relationship between students and professors has newly emerged in the Korean context as a factor that strengthens student engagement in research and the complementary relationship between formal curriculum and MSTP was highlighted to encourage student engagement in research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04337-7Research activitiesStudent research engagementResearch competenciesMedical studentInterpersonal relationSouth Korea |
| spellingShingle | Hyo Jeong Lee Ye Ji Kang Seung-Hee Lee Yanyan Lin Do-Hwan Kim Jungjoon Ihm Relationship matters: a qualitative study of medical students' experiences in a learner-driven research program in South Korea BMC Medical Education Research activities Student research engagement Research competencies Medical student Interpersonal relation South Korea |
| title | Relationship matters: a qualitative study of medical students' experiences in a learner-driven research program in South Korea |
| title_full | Relationship matters: a qualitative study of medical students' experiences in a learner-driven research program in South Korea |
| title_fullStr | Relationship matters: a qualitative study of medical students' experiences in a learner-driven research program in South Korea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Relationship matters: a qualitative study of medical students' experiences in a learner-driven research program in South Korea |
| title_short | Relationship matters: a qualitative study of medical students' experiences in a learner-driven research program in South Korea |
| title_sort | relationship matters a qualitative study of medical students experiences in a learner driven research program in south korea |
| topic | Research activities Student research engagement Research competencies Medical student Interpersonal relation South Korea |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04337-7 |
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