Towards a program of focused and applied curriculum research

Abstract

Though hundreds of journal pages have been packed with studies describing, analyzing, and synthesizing benefits of PBL over conventional curricula we still don’t really know why because there are so many differences between them that it is impossible to say which of the various elements contributes to any incremental student learning. We need to apply the scientific method to studies of curriculum delivery. Accumulating evidence from strong studies in messy real-world situations will eventually yield important insights and instrumental truths for real medical schools and real medical students that teachers and administrators can then implement. Examples of feasible experimental designs are described including a factorial study. More effective curriculum development is only possible through a renewed applied research agenda that is both focused and grounded in the real world.

Keywords

• applied research
• curriculum delivery
• PBL