The Learning Experience in the Process of Performing the Research of Graduate Nursing College Students

Abstract

〔Objectives〕This study is to clarify the learning experience in the course of performing research of graduate nursing college students.

〔Methods〕Participants included students of nursing universities who undertook nursing research. Data was collected in focus group interviews after the participants had completed a nursing research task, following which it was qualitatively analysed by an inductive approach. Student accounts were transcribed and categorized according to simple coded sentences. Ethical considerations involved explanation of the objectives and methods of nursing research to participants a week prior to the interviews. Consent was obtained after providing participants with written and verbal confirmation that participation in the study was voluntary, that they were free to withdraw at any time without being disadvantaged in any way and that personal information would be protected and anonymity maintained. This study was approved by the university ethics committee.

〔Results〕There was a total of 4 groups and 20 participants, with 4−6 study participants per group. We extracted a total of 175 codes. The learning experiences obtained through the process of graduation work were indicated as “acquisition of knowledge on, and attitude towards, the meaning and method of the research”, “search and clarification of research theme”, “actual practice of research method through trial and error”, and “increased interest in research”. Through the series of research procedures, students developed “awareness gained from opinion exchanges with tutors and other research members”, “sense of achievement to complete the research course”, and “sense of role and responsibility as a representative of research collaborators”. For students, being able to reach the research goal was indicated as “a pride gained from being able to lead the research to the desired result” and “a wish to further develop the research under advanced themes”.

〔Discussion〕This survey demonstrated that allowing students to independently establish a study theme and complete a thesis brings “a sense of achievement obtained from completing the research course” through “unaided quest”. For tutors, the importance of acknowledgement and support for the students’ “engagement in the research method consisting of trial and error” was suggested, which allows students the “acquisition of knowledge on, and attitude towards, the meaning and method of the research” and “increased interest in research”. The significance of graduate work as an educational method in training nursing professionals equipped with academic knowledge and skills of a university graduate was also indicated.