Mentor perceptions of the value of a fourth year research project for Doctor of Pharmacy students
Keywords:
Capstone Project, Pharmacy Education, Student Research, Faculty Mentors, Preceptor MentorsAbstract
Chicago State University College of Pharmacy introduced the capstone project in 2011 as a requirement of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The objectives of this study were to assess faculty perceptions of: 1) the value of research in the students’ success in a pharmacy degree programme; 2) the students’ level of preparedness to complete the project requirements; and 3) the students’ ability to complete research projects in their future career. A 35-item survey instrument was administered to 23 capstone mentors to elicit their perceptions regarding the programme and research as it relates to a pharmacy degree. Mentors agreed it was important for students to participate in (n = 15) and demonstrate excellence (n = 11) in research activities. Respondents (n = 12) indicated that students were not adequately prepared by the didactic curriculum and that additional preparation may be necessary to conduct research independently in the future.
References
AACPa [American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy]. (1993). Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Degree (online). Available at: http://www.aacp.org/ resources/student/pharmacyforyou/documents/ pharmd.pdf. Accessed 11th November, 2016
AACPb [American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy]. (1993). Commission to Implement Change in Pharmaceutical Education. Background Paper II: entry level, curricular outcomes, curricular content and educational process (online). American Journal of Pharmacy Education, 57, 377-85
Assemi, M., Ibarra, F., Mallios, R. & Corelli, R.L. (2015). Scholarly contributions of required senior research projects in a Doctor of Pharmacy program. American Journal of Pharmacy Education, 79, Art.23
Bandiera, G., Boucher, A., Neville, A., Kuper, A. & Hodges, B. (2013). Integration and timing of basic and clinical sciences education. Medical Teacher, 35, 381-387
Dawes, J. (2008). Do data characteristics change according to the number of scale points used? International Journal of Marketing Research, 50, 61-77
Draugalis, J.R. & Slack M.K. (1992). A course model for teaching research evaluation in colleges of pharmacy. American Journal of Pharmacy Education, 56, 48-52
Fagan, S.C., Touchette, D., Smith, J.A., Sowinski, K.M., Dolovich, L., Olson, K.L., Cheang, K.I., Kolesar, J.M. & Crismon, M.L. (2006). The state of science and research in clinical pharmacy. Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy, 26, 1027-1040
Fuji, K.T. & Galt, K.A. (2009). Research skills training for the Doctor of Pharmacy in US schools of pharmacy: a descriptive study. International Journal Pharmacy Practice, 17, 115-120
Grad School Hub. (2016). What is a Capstone Project in Graduate School? (online). Available at :http:// www.gradschoolhub.com/faqs/what-is-a-capstone- project-in-graduate-school. Accessed November 11, 2016.
Gross-Schaefer, A., Gala, S., Jaccard, J. & Vetter, L. (2015). Being Honest About Tenure in the United States: The Need for Tenure System Reform within Institutions of High Education. International Journal of Social Science Studies, 3, 25-36
Kao, D.J., Hudmon, K.S. & Corelli, R.L. (2011). Evaluation of a required senior project in a Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum. American Journal of Pharmacy Education, 75, Art. 5
Kritikos, V.S., Carter, S., Moles, R.J. & Krass I. (2013). Undergraduate pharmacy students' perceptions of research in general and attitudes towards pharmacy practice research. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 21, 192-201
McClendon, K.S., Bell, A.M., Ellis, A., Adcock, K.G., Hogan, S., Ross, L.A. & Riche, D.M. (2015). Pathways to Improve Student Pharmacists’ Experience in Research. American Journal of Pharmacy Education, 79, Art.58
Murphy, J.E. (1997). Faculty attitudes toward required evaluative projects for Doctor of Pharmacy candidates. American Journal of Pharmacy Education, 61, 73-78
Nelson, J.B., Cates, M.E. & Woolley, T. W. (2008). Faculty attitudes and scholarly productivity resulting from a seminar course. American Journal of Pharmacy Education, 72, Art.08
Tanaomi, M.M. & Asaadi, R.R. (2017). A Comparative Study of Faculty Members’ Career Advancement (Promotion) Systems in the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran: Case Analysis of the University of Tehran and Portland State University. International Journal of Higher Education, 6(4), 111-121
Vaidean, G.D., Vansal S.S., Moore R.J. & Feldman S. (2013). Student scientific inquiry in the core curriculum. American Journal of Pharmacy Education, 77, Art.176
Vellurattil, R.P., Puglisi, M.P., Johnson, C.L. & Slonek, J. (2014). Introduction of a capstone research program in a new college of pharmacy: student perceptions. Currents of Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 6, 429-436
Wuller, C.A. (2010). A capstone advanced pharmacy practice experience in research. American Journal of Pharmacy Education, 74, Art.180
