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Summary

This article contains information on how to complete a Collaborative Research Activity.

What is the Collaborative Research Activity LX?

The Collaborative Research Activity is a Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) tool that can be used for inclusion towards ANZCAP recognition.

It can be used to facilitate exploration 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 Publication Learning experience is the recommended Learning Experience to use.

The main outcome of the interaction between pharmacist and collaborator should be to promote feedback and reflection of the pharmacist contribution to a research activity and understanding of research practice.

Collaborative Research Activity Process

When used for ANZCAP recognition a Research Activity Learning Experience may be collaborative or autonomous. A collaborative research activity learning experience may be conducted as a retrospective reflection, once the research activity is completed.

The process for completing a Collaborative Research Activity is as follows:

🧩 Prepare

🗓️ Engage

💭 Reflect

The pharmacist or the collaborator highlights a suitable research activity to utilize the research activity LX.
The pharmacist and collaborator should also confirm the practice recognition level that the pharmacist is aiming to show in the research activity learning experience.

The collaborator should ensure that they have directly observed or debriefed on a significant proportion or key stages of the research activity being carried out by the pharmacist.
At conclusion of the situation the pharmacist discusses the skill or scenario with the collaborator(s)
Collaborator(s) engages pharmacist in discussion to further explore knowledge and skills critical to the situation

This discussion should typically take 10-15 minutes.

Pharmacist and collaborator engage in reflection of this discussion utilizing the Pendleton/Positive critique method
Collaborator assists pharmacist to identify key development goals from the reflection utilizing the SMART goal method

The reflection and goal setting should typically take 10-15 minutes

The total time for a research activity should take between 20-30 minutes. However, the observation period may be over an extended period of time depending on how long the research activity takes.

The final discussion aspect of the research activity should be conducted in an appropriate working space that lends itself to privacy due to pharmacist comfort.

Choosing a Research Activity

There is a wide variety of professional experiences that may be appropriate for a Collaborative Research Activity LX.

Examples

Completed research report at the end of a resident training program
Research/project lead for SHPA summer students completing a research project during a placement

Prior to the research activity, the pharmacist and collaborator should confirm the practice recognition level that the situation will allow the pharmacist to show.

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.
Domain 1, 2, 3 and 7 of the Competence Standards for Pharmacists in Aotearoa New Zealand Pharmacists, 2023. Please note that not all the Domain 1, 2, 3 and 7 behaviours listed in these competence standards may be relevant to this Learning Experience

Please refer to the ANZCAP recognition descriptors article for the further guidance on markers of performance for each ANZCAP recognition level. The pharmacist and collaborator should indicate in the Learning Experience which of the three levels of practice recognition (resident, register, consultant) they are currently practicing at or a candidate for.

Complexity

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

The pharmacist and collaborator should come to an agreement on the complexity (low, medium or high) of the case in relation to the level of recognition the pharmacist is practicing at.

Collaborator

The collaborator must be familiar with the research activity LX.

The Collaborator must ensure that they have the required expertise and scope of practice to confidently provide the candidate with feedback on the setting/topic being assessed in the research activity. e.g. a direct line manager or colleague who is a research specialist.

The collaborator should ensure that they have directly observed a significant proportion or key stages of the research skills being carried out by the pharmacist. Alternatively, if it is not appropriate for the collaborator to be present, they should have been involved in debrief discussions at key stages before, after and/or during the experience.

Collaborators may come from a variety of health professional backgrounds e.g., pharmacy, medical, surgical.

Further guidance for collaborators involved in this learning experience can be found here.

Reflection, Feedback & Goal Setting

The main aim of the Research Activity Learning Experience is to promote feedback and reflection of a pharmacist's research skills and knowledge after they have been involved in a research project.

Skill Evaluation

Within the Research Activity LX there are key skills (and descriptors) that the pharmacist and collaborator should discuss during the feedback and reflection. Each skill should be evaluated with comments from the discussion and a marker of; Not yet met, meets, exceeds or n/a.

Not yet met	Performance does not yet meet the expected for the indicated practice recognition level.
Meets	Performance meets the standard expected for the indicated practice recognition level.
Exceeds	Performance is above the standard expected for the indicated practice recognition level and is moving towards progression in recognition level.

Feedback

The Research Activity LX encourages use of the Pendleton feedback method to guide reflection. This method encourages self-reflection and proactive discussions for development.

Development Goals

The pharmacist and collaborator are encouraged to utilize the SMART goal technique to develop any learning or development goals that are identified from the reflection and feedback discussion.

Although some collaborators who are also supervisors or clinical educators in a formalized training program may choose to use this LX as an initiation for delivery of formal teaching, this is an extension of the research activity LX and not a requirement.

Forms and Templates

Evidence of the research activity is documented directly into the ANZCAP digital platform as a Collaborative Learning Experience (LX). For further step by step instructions on how to do this please refer to the How to complete a Learning Experience article.

If ANZCAP members wish to use a research activity form from their own organisation, the completed form may be uploaded into the Supporting Evidence section of the LX. (Please note that for the LX to become validated the candidate must still complete all sections marked with an asterisk (*) and the collaborator must document their involvement via the electronic collaborator declaration process).

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