Student experiences and perceptions of compulsory research projects: a veterinary perspective

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Education
• Research Methodology
• Student Engagement

Background:

• Clinical practice relies on research, yet veterinary students often lack interest in research skills development.
• Compulsory research projects are a standard part of veterinary curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate veterinary students' experiences and perceptions of mandatory research projects.
• To identify factors influencing student motivation and learning during research projects.

Main Methods:

• An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted.
• A questionnaire survey of the entire student cohort was followed by purposive selection for focus group discussions.
• Student perspectives were triangulated with data from staff questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Approximately one-third of students felt their research project was not worthwhile or did not develop useful skills.
• Key themes identified included fragile motivation and a lack of clear understanding (schemata) of the research process.
• Students struggled with research challenges, leading to extrinsic motivation due to a poor grasp of the project's rationale.

Conclusions:

• Curriculum development should focus on providing a clear rationale for research projects.
• Emphasizing critical inquiry skills as a core clinical competency is crucial for optimizing student motivation, engagement, and learning.
• Addressing student challenges and improving their understanding of research processes is essential for a valuable educational experience.