Teaching qualitative research to BSW students through exposure to aging

Area of Science:

• Gerontology Education
• Social Work Education
• Qualitative Research Methodology

Background:

• Rural programs face challenges in exposing students to gerontology.
• Integrating practical research experience can enhance student learning in specialized fields.
• Collaboration between academic institutions and healthcare facilities offers mutual benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a rural program's initiative to teach gerontology using qualitative research methods.
• To evaluate the success of a collaborative pilot project between BSW students and a local nursing home.
• To assess the impact of experiential learning on student knowledge and perceptions of gerontology.

Main Methods:

• BSW students participated in a collaborative pilot research project with a nursing home.
• Students worked in two groups to conduct and present qualitative research.
• The project's success was evaluated through pre- and post-test knowledge assessments and student feedback.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in students' self-reported knowledge of key gerontological concepts post-project.
• Student comments indicated a high value placed on this experiential teaching approach.
• The project successfully facilitated the application of qualitative research skills within a gerontological context.

Conclusions:

• Teaching gerontology through hands-on qualitative research methodology is effective for BSW students.
• Experiential learning in collaboration with healthcare facilities significantly enhances student understanding and engagement in gerontology.
• This model provides valuable implications for future gerontological research training and curriculum development.