Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies: Home

Abstract:
In 2014 Writtle university college validated undergraduate provision in veterinary physiotherapy and in 2016 provision for bioveterinary science. using my background in laboratory animal science, I proposed and piloted the use of systematic reviews as final year research projects. in order to fully develop this programme, I have written and delivered both staff workshops to support staff supervising systematic review projects, and a series of workshops for students undertaking systematic reviews. This is further supplemented with a dedicated VLE section on systematic reviews, and written protocols, support documents and templates for use by students and staff. The use of systematic reviews as undergraduate dissertations has reduced the strain on laboratory and animal facilities, which is essential as student numbers for courses using these facilities are ever increasing. Feedback from staff and students regarding the workshops has been very good, and the quality of systematic review dissertations was comparable to �normal� research dissertations. Systematic reviews will directly inform the veterinary physiotherapy students' master's year projects and make these more valid and ready for scientific output. this helps develop Writtle university college's reputation as the institution to go to for evidence-based veterinary physiotherapy. This is significant, as the field is relatively new and underdeveloped. to conclude, systematic reviews make good undergraduate dissertation projects, but implementation needs thorough support.

Keywords: evidence-based practice, staff development, student workshops, veterinary physiotherapy,animal science

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