Evaluating distance learning in clinical laboratory science.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine if there were any significant differences in academic performance between distance students and on-campus students in clinical laboratory science.


METHODS
A quantitative causal comparative research design was used.


METHODS
The research study was conducted at an academic health sciences university in the eastern United States.


METHODS
Anecdotal graduate data were collected from students that had graduated from the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program.


METHODS
The students had either received their CLS education via distance or through the traditional on-campus methods.


METHODS
Academic performance was the major outcome measured. This was determined by comparing distance students' final grade point average (GPA) scores and certification scores to their on-campus counterparts.


RESULTS
The researchers found no significant difference in gender between distance and on-campus students; however, there was a significant difference in age. On average the distance students were older than their on-campus counterparts. There were no significant differences found for mean overall admission GPA, mean math science admission GPA, mean final GPA score, and mean certification score. There were also no differences found in any of the subcategories of the certification exam except for urinalysis. For the urinalysis subcategory the distance students significantly outperformed their on-campus counterparts. Correlation studies showed that there were significant positive correlations between overall admission GPAs, math science admission GPAs, final GPA scores, and certification scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The researchers have shown that distance learning CLS graduates are as academically prepared as their on-campus counterparts.
Russell
Barbara
B
Department of Biomedical and Radiological Technologies, Medical College of Georgia, EC-3340, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. brussell@mcg.edu
Turnbull
Diane
D
Leibach
Elizabeth Kenimer
EK
Pretlow
Lester
L
Arnette
Ann
A
Ranne
Anne
A
Kraj
Barbara
B
Mobley
Regina
R
Stone
Becky
B
D002568:Certification; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000193:education*; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education*; D016482:Urinalysis