Summary

This article contains information on how to complete an Independent Research Activity.

What is the Independent Research Activity LX?

The Independent Research Activity is an Independent Learning Experience that can be used to document and guide self-reflection of a pharmacist's experience contributing to an original research article or manuscript, literature review or systematic review that has not yet been published in a journal or peer review publication. If the research progresses to publication, then the Endorsed Published Article or Research Learning experience is the recommended Learning Experience tool to use.

It is a Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) tool that can be used for inclusion towards advancing practice recognition.

The main outcome of the tool is to record evidence of a pharmacist's contribution to a research activity and understanding of research practice.

Examples

Completed research report at the end of a resident training program
Completed research report at the end of a SHPA summer placement

Independent Research Activity Process

🧩 Prepare

🎯 Observe

💭 Reflect

The pharmacist identifies a suitable research project to utilize the Research Activity tool. Ensuring that research activity is suitable for their identified practice recognition level and practice area

Pharmacist completes the research activity

Pharmacist completes the Independent Research Activity tool which includes documentation, reflection and development goal setting

An Independent Research Activity is best completed as a retrospective reflection.

The total time to complete the Independent Research Activity tool should take between 10-15 minutes. However, the research project may occur over an extended period of time prior to completing the Research Activity tool documentation.

Choosing a Situation

There is a wide variety of research skills or research projects that may be appropriate for reflection using the Independent Research Activity tool. See some suggested examples above. Ideally an Independent Research Activity learning experience should focus on a research project that has been completed to allow the pharmacist to also consider the outcomes of the project. Ultimately the exact scenario, role played, and the skills expected by the pharmacist will vary depending on the practice recognition level they are aiming to meet.

Practice Recognition Level

The Research Activity Learning Experience is mapped to Domain 5 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016. Please note that not all the domain 5 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience.

The pharmacist will independently identify a supervision opportunity that applies to the level of practice recognition that they are currently performing at or working towards (resident, register, consultant) to include in the conference/seminar report.

Please refer to the ANZCAP recognition descriptors article for the further guidance on markers of performance for each ANZCAP recognition level.

Complexity

In some scenarios the same research project may be used for pharmacists aiming for different levels of practice recognition. However, the complexity and expected knowledge, skills and role will vary.

Collaborator

Pharmacists may have engaged in discussion with professional peers, mentors or managers to encourage reflective practice. However, this is an Independent Learning Experience and therefore the final submission should be completed by the pharmacist without collaboration.

Reflection & Goal Setting

The pharmacist is encouraged to utilize the SMART goal technique to develop any learning or development goals that are identified from self-reflection after the experience.

Forms and Templates

The Research Activity tool is available on the ANZCAP Digital platform. Ideally pharmacists will enter relevant information into the digital tool after completion of the research experience.

Alternatively, pharmacists may use Research Activity tools from their own workplace and upload it to the digital platform where they can then confirm completion of an Independent Learning Experience.

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