RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Research in Clinical Laboratory Science: Professionals' Educational Preparation
JF American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
JO Clin Lab Sci
FD American Society of Chemistry and Laboratory Science
SP 243
OP 248
DO 10.29074/ascls.24.4.243
VO 24
IS 4
A1 Rebecca Laudicina
A1 JoAnn P. Fenn
A1 Vickie Freeman
A1 Carol McCoy
A1 Mary Ann McLane
A1 Lillian A. Mundt
A1 Joan Polancic
A1 Tim Randolph
A1 Kristy Shanahan
YR 2011
UL http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/content/24/4/243.abstract
AB Identify CLS practitioners' sources of knowledge of research principles and hands-on research training.List activities that CLS practitioners believe would help improve their research skills.Describe research components of CLS educational programs.Characterize activities included in CLS undergraduate and master's student research projects.List perceived barriers to research participation by undergraduates and master's students in CLS educational programs.OBJECTIVE: To describe the educational preparation of CLS professionals for conducting research.DESIGN: A link to 3-part online survey was sent by electronic mail to 7,572 members of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and 500 program directorsSETTING: email message, on-line surveyPARTICIPANTS: all ASCLS members and all directors of accredited clinical laboratory educational programsMAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantitative and qualitative measures of professionals' educational preparation for conducting research and descriptions of program curricula in research.RESULTS: 556 of 7572 (7.3%) persons completed the survey. Twenty-two percent of CLS undergraduate educational programs offer a separate research course in the curriculum, and 37% require completion of a research project. Barriers to participation in research by undergraduates include time limitations within the curriculum, insufficient faculty time, and lack of funds, space, and equipment. Increased emphasis on developing research skills is found in educational programs at the master's degree level.CONCLUSIONS: The formal educational background of many CLS professionals may leave them unprepared or underprepared for conducting research. Although there was broad representation among participants across educational levels, employment settings, and job positions, the number of survey respondents was limited. Possible directions for future research include conducting this survey using members of additional professional organizations.ABBREVIATIONS: CLS = clinical laboratory science; ASCLS = American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science; NAACLS = National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science