Facilitating learning of the peer-review process through a student-led undergraduate journal

Authors

  • Celina Antony Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University
  • Nevart Terzian Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9838-6354
  • Mark Lee Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University; McMaster Education Research, Innovation and Theory (MERIT) Program, McMaster University
  • Margaret Secord Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6974-0431
  • Alessia Greco Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University; Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4157-5911
  • Michael Wong Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University; ​Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15173/ijsap.v9i1.5915

Keywords:

students as partners, higher education, science education, inquiry-based learning, science process skills, information literacy

Abstract

Conventionally, undergraduate science students engage in learning through didactic methods. This can present science as an indisputable collection of knowledge, rather than an ongoing process of discovery. By increasing students’ exposure to scientific processes, undergraduate science programs can enable students to understand the complexities of navigating scientific knowledge with a critical mindset. To facilitate this process, we implemented a student-led undergraduate peer-reviewed journal, The Child Health Interdisciplinary Literature & Discovery Journal, in the Child Health Specialization of McMaster University’s Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program. This case study discusses the development and implementation of this student-led journal within an inquiry-based learning curriculum. We aim to promote an understanding of curricular co-creation as a mechanism for enhancing student learning of scientific processes and the development of critical thinking, information literacy, and collaboration skills. We seek to inspire innovative teaching and learning strategies in higher education wherein students are active partners in the learning process.

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Author Biographies

Celina Antony, Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University

Celina Antony is a Sessional Instructor in the Child Health Specialization of the Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program at McMaster University. 

Nevart Terzian, Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University

Nevart Terzian is a Sessional Instructor in the Child Health Specialization of the Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program at McMaster University. 

Mark Lee, Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University; McMaster Education Research, Innovation and Theory (MERIT) Program, McMaster University

Mark Lee is a Sessional Instructor in the Child Health Specialization of the Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program and Research Support Manager in the McMaster Education Research, Innovation and Theory (MERIT) Program at McMaster University. 

Margaret Secord, Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University

Margaret Secord is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and Instructor in the Child Health Specialization of the Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program at McMaster University. 

Alessia Greco, Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University; Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University

Alessia Greco is a Sessional Instructor in the Child Health Specialization of the Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program and Project Coordinator with the Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University.

Michael Wong, Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program, McMaster University; ​Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University

Michael Wong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and Instructor in the Child Health Specialization of the Honours Health Sciences (BHSc) Program at McMaster University. 

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Published

2025-05-19

How to Cite

Antony, C., Terzian, N., Lee, M., Secord, M., Greco, A., & Wong, M. (2025). Facilitating learning of the peer-review process through a student-led undergraduate journal. International Journal for Students as Partners, 9(1), 261–272. https://doi.org/10.15173/ijsap.v9i1.5915

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Case Studies

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