Abstract:This research builds upon prior validation studies of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) survey by utilizing multiple ratings measures to validate the survey's tripartite structure (teaching presence, social presence, & cognitive presence). In prior studies exploring the construct validity of these 3 subscales, only respondents' course ratings were utilized. This study asked participants to additionally rate the importance of each CoI survey item. Descriptive analyses of the gaps between course rating scores and the respective item importance ratings revealed that social presence items, perceived as the least important of the CoI subscales, yielded the gap scores with least variability, while gaps in teaching presence items revealed areas where instructors might focus more attention. Multiplicative scores for each item were computed as the product of an item's course rating score and its corresponding importance rating. Even when including this additional measure of perceived importance, factor analysis of multiplicative scores (item rating * importance rating) supported the CoI model's tripartite structure, and so prior validation studies. IntroductionThe issues addressed in this research are the relevance of the items in the Community of
Introduction. Best practice in clinical education includes actions to ensure strong partnerships and close, consistent communication among all stakeholders. One way this can be accomplished is through a site visit. There is limited literature supporting the most preferred communication for conducting these visits. Perspectives of physical therapist students (PTS) about the site visit process are scarce. This study explored whether PTS perceive site visits as important, PTS' preferred method of communication used to conduct these visits, and the reasons underlying these preferences. Number of Subjects. One hundred thirty-five PTS. Materials and Methods. A mixed-methods, sequential explanatory design was used. A survey was sent to current PTS and recent graduates. Additional qualitative data were collected from a subset of 8 PTS from the sample using semistructured interviews. Results. Statistical analysis showed no relationship between the level of clinical experience and preferences for communication methods and no significant differences in levels of importance of site visits. A majority of PTS preferred future visits be conducted in person as opposed to other methods of communication or having no site visit. Students indicated that in-person site visits offer more truthful communication and that although a telephone call may be “sufficient” for a site visit, in-person site visits are necessary when students are having difficulties in the clinic. Conclusions. Students are cognizant of the nonverbal cues that occur with in-person communication and that these cues add to the transparency and truthfulness of conversations. Nonverbal communication may be most impactful for the PTS experiencing difficulties during a clinical experience. Given the barriers for conducting site visits, this study provides information that can assist in the decision-making process for communication methods used to conduct these visits. Further research is needed to determine if there is alignment between PTS' perspectives and those of other stakeholders.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.