Using guided inquiry and the information search process to develop research confidence among first year anatomy...

Area of Science:

• Allied Health Education
• Information Literacy
• Medical Education Research

Background:

• The increasing volume of medical literature necessitates strong research skills for allied health professionals.
• Student inquiry, an active learning approach, is effective for developing these critical research competencies.
• Information literacy is essential for allied health trainees to navigate and utilize scientific information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop information literacy in first-year allied health trainees using inquiry-based projects.
• To assess the impact of structured inquiry projects on students' research skill confidence.
• To evaluate the long-term retention of improved research skills.

Main Methods:

• First-year allied health students participated in inquiry-based projects based on the Information Search Process.
• Projects evolved from "Student Inquiry Projects" to "Inquiry Guided Learning Projects" (IGLPs) after pilot testing and improvements.
• Student self-perceived confidence in research skills was assessed before and after project completion.

Main Results:

• Students reported significant improvements in confidence across all assessed research skills (P < 0.05).
• Key areas of improvement included research question development, literature exploration, resource acquisition, and communication.
• Six months post-completion, students retained enhanced confidence in research question development and communication.

Conclusions:

• Inquiry Guided Learning Projects effectively enhance research confidence and information literacy in allied health trainees.
• The structured approach, guided by the Information Search Process, leads to measurable improvements in research skills.
• Sustained confidence in core research skills suggests the long-term value of inquiry-based learning in medical education.