Future of Medical Education Journal

Future of Medical Education Journal

Medical Students' Points of View on the Quality of Supervision and the Electronic Defense Session in an Iranian Private University

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Leila Bazrafkan 1
Arezou Farajpour 2
Tooraj Zandbaf 3
Seyed Mohammad Ali Raisolsadat 3
1 Clinical Education Research Centre, Education Developmental Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Department of Medical Basic Sciences, MMS.C. Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
3 Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
10.22038/fmej.2025.86146.1633
Abstract
Background: Writing a thesis is an indicator for evaluating individual competence in conducting research and research skills. The study aimed to examine students' points of view on the quality of supervision and the process of theses implementation electronically and virtually has been done during the COVID-19 pandemic at Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Medical Sciences unit.
Method: In a cross-sectional study, 42 medical students participated by responding to the Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire, which assessed nine areas related to thesis implementation and defense in electronic and virtual environments. It was conducted in five areas: Title selection, supervisor, proposal fulfillment process, thesis fulfillment process, and final report. The PREQ was introduced by the Australian Department of Employment, Training, and Youth Affairs to respond to the quality and efficiency of higher education (ACER 2000). Finally, the data collected in this study were analyzed using SPSS version 21 software.
Results: The research results indicated that the University's infrastructure and facilities are generally favorable, except for the evaluation and defense of the thesis, which received a score of 2.13, indicating an unfavorable rating. The other aspects of thesis writing were assessed as relatively favorable.
Conclusion: Students consider the status of theses in the general medicine program at the Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Medical Sciences unit, relatively good in most aspects. However, the thesis defense is viewed as unfavorable. To address this issue, it is important to identify the causes of the existing problems and work on eliminating weaknesses while strengthening the positive aspects.
Keywords
Medical Students
COVID-19
Thesis Writing
Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire
Subjects
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Future of Medical Education Journal
Volume 15, Issue 2
Spring 2025
Pages 3-8