Abstract
Introduction and Objective: Journal clubs are recognized as an effective educational tool in universities and research centers, playing a vital role in enhancing students' knowledge and academic capabilities. These sessions offer an opportunity to review and critique scientific and research articles, potentially improving students' analytical and critical thinking skills. In the Environmental Health Engineering Department at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, journal clubs are considered an essential part of the master's and doctoral programs. This study aims to assess the satisfaction of graduate students in the Environmental Health Engineering Department with the journal club sessions held in 2024.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2024 within the Environmental Health Engineering Department at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, involving 205 master's and doctoral students. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA.
Results: The findings indicated that in terms of the session format, all graduate students had similar mean scores (36.84 ± 5.92). However, in the presentation and student mastery section, doctoral students had higher mean scores (30.09 ± 4.08). Finally, in the impact and motivation development section, master's students had higher mean scores (24.13 ± 4.19). The highest satisfaction was related to the impact and motivation development, while the lowest satisfaction pertained to the session's location and timing.
Conclusion: Journal clubs positively impacted the skills and motivation of graduate students in the Environmental Health Engineering Department at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. However, improving the organization of sessions and addressing the appropriateness of location and timing could enhance student satisfaction. These findings may contribute to the future improvement of educational and research programs.
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