The Student Organization for the Advancement of Research (SOAR): A Student-Led Initiative to Increase Research-Related Learning

摘要

The Student Organization for the Advancement of Research (SOAR) is a student-led initiative founded in partnership with the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health (LSUHSC-SPH) Office of Research and the Student Government Association. SOAR was created to increase student research capacity and practice-based learning experiences by facilitating faculty-student research collaboration via a matching program within the LSUHSC-SPH. This article describes the development, implementation, challenges, and student reflections of SOAR, and disseminates SOAR's applied learning technique. SOAR received 21 student inquiries within 6 months of implementation. Of student inquiries received, over 60% were successfully matched to LSUHSC-SPH faculty members to implement various inter-disciplinary research projects. Of students who participated in a post-evaluation focus group, 72% reported that their research skills (e.g. study recruitment, focus group facilitation, professional writing skills, and manuscript development) improved from participating in SOAR. The SOAR matching program is replicable and provides a framework for institutions to develop a tailored research program that is student-driven and focused. Ultimately, SOAR allowed the LSUHSC-SPH to meet a growing gap in student involved research by emphasizing the value of practice-based learning, fostering the spirit of collaboration, and increasing students' desire to pursue research-related careers.