Lessons from teaching health research to undergraduates: An Australian experience

Figures & data

Table 1. Workshop activity example: Synthesising exercise

CONTEXT	The first assessment is an introductory systematic review. Students are provided with relevant real-life topics such as vaccine hesitancy and are directed to find four journal articles to answer a specific research question. Part of the assessment requires a “grid” or table summarising the key aspects of these four articles. This task is usually commenced in the second workshop.
PROCESS	In workshop three, students are given an example grid that summarises four randomised control trials on the effectiveness of art therapy. The example grid includes information on study methods and results. Students are provided with a template table with column headings such as “study sample” and “outcomes measured.” As a group, students extract the key points from the example grid to write narrative summaries for each column heading and directed to draw across all four studies, rather separate summaries of each individual study.
IMPACT	The activity allows students to understand the importance of incorporating the aspects of each study in a way that allows similarities and differences between the studies to become apparent. The activity also highlights the need for a methodical approach when approaching this type of review and makes clear that shortcuts are often problematic. This activity is often viewed as the turning point in students’ understanding of the purpose of this assessment task—and of how research studies can be assessed. Often there is initial hesitancy and uncertainty on how to progress from finding four journal articles to producing a coherent final piece of work. Completing this activity gives students confidence and clear direction as to how to proceed, as well as showing them the importance of differences in how studies on a similar topic are conducted.

Table 2. Strategies taken in response to student and facilitator feedback 2016–2020

YEAR	STRATEGIES
	General/overall	Assignment 1 Systematic/scoping review	Assignment 2 Mixed method data report	Assignment 3 Poster
2016	Attitudes to research scale Weekly teaching staff meeting	Example systematic review Reflection to class Topical issues	Example Report structure	Online self and team evaluation
2017	Hopes & Fears activity Assumed knowledge section	Video explanation of assignment Assignment Forum^# Weekly progress slide PICO exercise Quality Appraisal Tool	Video explanation of assignment Assignment Forum^# Additional resources to subject website Weekly progress slide	Poster examples
2018	Workshop facilitators profile	Tracking point	Tracking point
2019			Link to qualitative research papers
2020 ONLINE	Q&A sessions	Reduced to single topic	Summary table added Diagram depiction of report structure	Online conference—gallery added

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Figure 1. Student responses to Hopes and Fears exercise 2021

Figure 2. Student feedback item and overall ratings 2016–2021

Figure 3. Approach to the transformation of Applied Health Research: A conceptual model