Dental schools are challenged to develop student
centred learning approach to prepare future dental practitioners. This approach
includes the community-based learning (CBL), problem-based learning (PBL),
clinical-based reasoning (CBR), clinical management of patients and elective
research project (ERP). A study conducted on these learning experiences
provides an educational strategy to facilitate the personal and professional development
of future dentists. ERP is implemented in year four of the study and assessed
at the end of one year as part of dental students’ requirement for
undergraduate programme. Their research experience is an important feedback for
future improvements in dental curriculum and the institutions, and would help
to harmonious the teaching and assessment of research skills.
Although quantitative methods and experiences have
been documented, very few studies have been employed on examining the students’
views of their research experiences. The study that was conducted on eliciting
the Malaysians undergraduate dental students’ perceptions on ERP, strength and
weaknesses involved forty questions which were distributed to fifty-eight (58)
final year dental students in Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia,
University of Malaya and National University of
Malaysia.
The students’
responses were then categorized into several key features. The findings from
this evaluation showed 80% of students believed that knowledge was gained
through the research experience. Problem-solving, communication and analytical
skills of the students improved in 75% of them. About 77.9% students thought
that supervision was helpful in their research programme. Approximately 63.2%
students stated supportive working environment including financial support by the
faculty. Necessary resources were provided by the faculty to facilitate their
research (70.9%). Some 58.2% of students were satisfied with their research,
however, 17.5% students stated otherwise. ERP programme should be continued and
has been part of the university curriculum across the public and private universities
in Malaysia in dental undergraduate programme. The strength is on the ERP as
research output for staff key performance indicator (KPI), publications, even
source of products and patents.
Inclusion of student’s name in the publications would
carry weight in their future career and job undertakings. Collaborative group
work in carrying the ERP is beneficial in many ways, though it is not without its
challenges. Some noted weaknesses were lack of guidance from supervisors and
funding of ERP that might affect the outcome and progress of the project [1-7].