QUALITATIVE STUDY OF STUDENTS’ OPINION ON DISTANCE EDUCATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52340/jecm.2023.01.07Keywords:
epidemiology, biostatistics, students, online, hybrid education, qualitative researchAbstract
The paper presents the results of the qualitative study that aimed to study the opinion of the students of the Faculty of Public Health regarding online education of epidemiology and biostatistics. Online classes were held in the period of COVID-19 pandemics. The respondents (n=9) have attended online as well as presential classes (before the pandemics). The study was performed by means of the structured interviewing and all the students were explained the purpose of the study. The interviewees discussed a list of the beforehand prepared topics and the audio records of the interviews were prepared following their permission. Afterwards these audio records have been transcribed and analyzed. Advantages and disadvantages of the online education were identified, as well as the topics which remained unchanged while online vs presential classes in epidemiology and biostatistics. Obtained results are generally in line with the global trends: there are some subjects in medicine that absolutely cannot be approached by online education. Hybrid education comprising both presential and online components is a modern approach to the education, but whether it is advisable to be used for any subjects of medical education still need further exploration.
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