Mentoring and coaching in promoting publications in the Department of Physiotherapy at a local university in South Africa
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Date
2010
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS
Abstract
A growing shift towards research and evidence based practice in
academia is associated with requirements to disseminate research results in the
form of publication in peer reviewed journals. Mentoring has been identified as an
important component of developing young authors, as it increases confidence and
competence, and facilitates professional development. This led to the formation of a
support group to stimulate peer-review publication in the physiotherapy department
at the University of the Western Cape. The Kirkpatrick Framework of Evaluation
was used to evaluate the success of the mentoring process which made use of a
participatory action research methodology. The writing group consisted of nine
academic members of staff and took place over ten weeks. The programme included
writing, giving feedback, discussion and peer review on a weekly basis. Focus group
discussions were taped and transcribed in order to evaluate the mentoring process
by identifying relationships within the data and categorising key concepts, which
were shaped into a thematic framework. The findings indicated that participants
experienced a variety of emotions throughout the programme, with an overall feeling of personal growth by the end.
In addition, participants also reported improved writing, reviewing and communication skills. Six months following
the programme, six participants had submitted at least one article to a peer reviewed journal. It is clear from this study
that some academics still find the task of writing and reviewing articles daunting, and that guidance and support in the
form of a writing programme can be useful.
Description
Keywords
Mentoring, Research publication, Participatory action research, University of the Western Cape
Citation
Frantz, J.M., et al. (2010). Mentoring and coaching as a process to promote publications in the department of physiotherapy at a local university in South Africa. South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 66(2): 37-42