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Updated: May 15, 2026
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Project-Based Learning Guidelines for Health Sciences Students: An Analysis with Data Mining and Qualitative Techniques
Published on: December 9, 2022
Journal-based learning, a new learning experience building on PBL at HKU.
M G Botelho1, E C M Lo, S Bridges
1Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. botelho@hkucc.hku.hk
Summary
A new journal-based learning program significantly improved dental students' understanding of research terminology and critical appraisal skills. This active-learning approach better prepared them for continuing professional development in dental research.
Area of Science:
- Dental Education
- Scientific Literacy
- Continuing Professional Development
Background:
- Dental students require skills to comprehend research publications for professional growth.
- Traditional learning may not adequately prepare students for critical appraisal of dental research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of a novel journal-based learning (JBL) program.
- To enhance dental students' ability to understand dental research publications.
- To prepare students for continuing professional development.
Main Methods:
- A baseline knowledge assessment of research terms was conducted on 52 final-year BDS students.
- 11 weekly seminars across 8 clinical disciplines utilized journal articles and guided questions.
- Discipline experts facilitated seminars, followed by an exit test and student focus group feedback.
Main Results:
- Significant improvement in mean scores from 3.5 to 11.5 on repeated questions (P < 0.001).
- Students gained knowledge in journal classification, evidence levels, research terms, and paper structure.
- JBL fostered a deeper understanding of research and critical appraisal skills compared to previous problem-based learning.
Conclusions:
- Journal-based learning effectively enhanced final-year dental students' knowledge of research.
- The program improved understanding of dental research terminologies, paper structure, and critical analysis.
- Active-learning seminars through JBL equipped students with essential research comprehension skills.
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