title: Dental and life science students: a comparison of approaches to study and course perceptions.
abstract: Approaches to study and course perceptions were investigated and compared in both junior and senior students on a vocational course (dentistry) and on a non-vocational course (life sciences) using standard questionnaires. Junior dental students reported significantly greater tendencies towards both Deep and Surface Approaches than junior life science students. They also had significantly higher scores for Achieving Approach, but in senior students this trend was reversed. Final year dental students experienced greater workloads and less freedom in learning than life science students and they also reported less organized study methods. These course perceptions demonstrate similar trends to those reported by Ramsden (1991). The implications for the courses concerned and for curriculum development are considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, London Hospital Medical College, UK.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Sales
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D001690:Biological Science Disciplines / Q000193:education*; D004497:Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008131:London; D009042:Motivation; D010465:Perception; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires