Academics’ Experiences in Veterinary Educational Research: Results of an International Survey

Abstract

Research conducted by the veterinary education community is critical to continual improvement of educational outcomes. Additionally, research productivity is one metric in promotion and tenure decisions. We sought to identify challenges encountered or anticipated when undertaking or planning veterinary educational research (VER), to learn how these challenges might be overcome, and to synthesize tips for success from those who have performed VER. A branching survey was developed and deployed along the authors’ worldwide veterinary education contacts in a cascading manner. The survey collected quantitative and qualitative information from participants who had performed VER and those who planned to perform VER in the future. The 258 participants represented 41 countries. Of the participants, 204 had performed VER (79%) and 54 planned to in the future (21%). The median time spent teaching was 14 years, and median time performing VER was 5 years. The most commonly reported challenges in performing VER were lack of funding, lack of time, and difficulties encountered when undertaking a study, including data collection, analysis, and publishing. When asked about overcoming the challenges, a major theme emerged around people, who provided expertise and mentoring. The most commonly reported tip for success was collaboration; 73% of experienced researchers reported people as most helpful upon beginning VER. Collaborators provided diverse help with ideas, study design, statistics, and other aspects. These results suggest that institutions can offer support to academics in the form of small grants, protected research time, writing workshops, and mentorship to assist with the production of meaningful VER.

Overview of educational research in theriogenology

“…Barriers to educational research often are barriers of institutional culture, including lack of recognition of educational research as valid research, lack of faculty development and support for educational research, lack of funding, and lack Citation line: Clinical Theriogenology 2023, 15, 9598, http://dx.doi.org/10.58292/CT.v15.9598 of a community of practice to provide mentoring and collaborations. 1,3,4 It is our hope that providing this comprehensive list of educational research in theriogenology will provide a resource for educators and encourage collaboration within the American College of Theriogenologists and Society for Theriogenology for performance of further research.…”