Can Assessment of Student Attitudes Assist both the Teaching and Learning Process as well as Ultimate Performance in Professional Practice
Research methodology
A survey is an effective tool to gather a breadth of information (Krueger, 1994), hence a survey with 5 open ended questions was used to assess both the extent of the negative attitudes across the third-year cohort and the transformation of those attitudes. This research device proved a most effective tool in gathering descriptive data about these negative attitudes and the associated transformation.
The survey was presented in the following way
"In an attempt to understand student needs and therefore adjust the Third year Mental Health Program, we would appreciate your considered completion of the following questionnaire. DO NOT feel you have to identify yourself, as we would appreciate your honest responses."
The questionnaire was designed to assess student perceptions of causes of the initial attitudes; highlight any attitudinal changes and isolate reasons for those changes. The survey was administered at the end of the first semester of their mental health year! It was thereby a vehicle for student communication of their reflections upon the experience of the preceding 11 weeks. The students were not given previous knowledge of the survey, nor were there any particular comments made about the negativity of the attitudes at the commencement of the semester.
The five questions included in the survey were as follows:
1. Attempt to describe your thoughts about Mental Health as you began this semester. Where possible, please outline your concerns and expectations.
2. Have your thoughts and feelings about Mental Health changed during the semester? Please describe the changes (if any), suggesting any experiences or processes that have contributed to these changes. If there have been no changes, please suggest possible ways that we may improve this course.
3. Describe your thoughts as you prepare for your fieldwork placements,
4. Do these thoughts differ from those thoughts you have experienced before other, physical placements? If yes, explain how and consider whether this difference is appropriate.
5. How are your experiences in Mental Health going to assist you with future fieldwork experiences and in developing Occupational Therapy skills in general?
A sample of 24 students from the entire class of 38 students completed the survey. This response rate approaches two-thirds of the cohort and is sufficiently high to be considered representative.
