Research in Action-Students' Perspectives on the Integration of Research Activities in Undergraduate Biomedical Curricula

Femmie de Vegt; Johannes D M Otten; Diederik R H de Bruijn; Helma Pluk; Iris A L M van Rooij; Thom F Oostendorp

doi:10.1007/s40670-021-01228-8

Research in Action-Students' Perspectives on the Integration of Research Activities in Undergraduate Biomedical Curricula

Med Sci Educ. 2021 Feb 18;31(2):371-374. doi: 10.1007/s40670-021-01228-8. eCollection 2021 Apr.

Authors

Femmie de Vegt¹, Johannes D M Otten¹, Diederik R H de Bruijn², Helma Pluk³, Iris A L M van Rooij¹, Thom F Oostendorp⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
² Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Biochemistry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
⁴ Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Abstract

We describe and evaluate our practice-based learning approach for research in undergraduate students studying Biomedical Sciences at Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands. First-year students who started their study between 2015 and 2018 actively participated in data collection and measurements, including anthropometry, electrocardiogram findings, genetic variants, and lifestyle habits. All data were entered into one anonymous database, which was used by students to analyze their research questions. In 2019, 44 of the 87 students (50%) valued active measurements better than questionnaires. Most students (strongly) agreed that they have learned about data collection and were inspired to learn more about biomedical research.

Keywords: Academic skills; Biomedical sciences; Research methods; Undergraduate curricula.