A Scaffolded Apprenticeship Model of Undergraduate Research Education in Allied health: The University of the Philippines Experience
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47895/Keywords:
Abstract
This feature article describes the history, key characteristics, and perceived benefits and challenges of the undergraduate research program of the College of Allied Medical Professions of the University of the Philippines Manila (UP CAMP). It also offers some critical reflections on the program after two decades of implementation.
UP CAMP previously subscribed to a consultant model of research supervision (i.e., student-led project ending with a thesis defense). However, the limitations of this model led to a shift to an apprenticeship model (i.e., faculty-led project ending with an oral research presentation). Research courses were also redesigned so that research training starts as early as Year 1 or 2 and becomes progressively more complex every year until the final-year thesis.
After implementing this scaffolded apprenticeship model for 20 years, there have been four main benefits or positive outcomes based on anecdotal evidence and our collective observations: students learning better by doing, students being shielded from more time-consuming administrative requirements, a growing interest in research-focused roles among graduates, and increased research productivity among the faculty. There have also been challenges in the adoption of this model: projects needing to be developed by the time students start their participation, projects needing to be divided into reasonably manageable and substantial sub-projects, students’ teamwork issues, and authorship or other research integrity issues. A systematic evaluation of this model is needed to demonstrate its benefits and inform its ongoing development. In the meantime, we drew upon our experiences to identify possible facilitators and barriers and suggest future directions.
Author Biographies
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Ellyn Cassey K. Chua, MSc, Department of Speech Pathology, College of Allied Medical Professions, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Assistant Professor, Department of Speech Pathology, College of Allied Medical Professions
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Esmerita R. Rotor, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Allied Medical Professions, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Professor and Dean, College of Allied Medical Professions
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Maria Concepcion Cabatan, PhD, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Allied Medical Professions, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Professor (retired), Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Allied Medical Professions
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Edward James R. Gorgon, MPhysio, PhD, Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
Lecturer, Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney