Approaches for evaluating learning outcomes in competency-based educational programs: a protocol for a scoping review

Abstract

Core competencies such as health knowledge, issues affecting humans, animals, plants, and the environment, principles of research, and program/policy evaluation are recommended for One Health programs in North America (Togami et al., 2018). Identifying appropriate methods to evaluate learning outcomes will indicate whether students are able to demonstrate the One Health core competencies that will equip them with the necessary skills to tackle complex challenges in Canada, such as climate change and infectious diseases. A scoping review of available methodologies for evaluating learning outcomes in competency-based educational programs will enable researchers at the University of Guelph to determine if a new framework should be drafted for evaluating One Health learning outcomes within the university, or whether existing frameworks can be tailored to best suit evaluation of the One Health learning outcomes at the University of Guelph, and ultimately in One Health programs at universities across Canada. Objectives: The objective of this protocol is to define the methods for a scoping review that will characterize available literature on methods used to evaluate learning outcomes in competency-based educational programs at the post-secondary level.