Ellaway, RachelKeren, Daniela2018-03-022018-03-022018-02-25Keren, D. (2018). Social Studying and Learning Among Medical Students (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/12296http://hdl.handle.net/1880/106411Many medical students engage in social studying and learning (SSL) during their selfdirected study time. A constructivist grounded theory study was conducted to explore the nature of SSL for medical students at the University of Calgary. 23 interviews were iteratively conducted and analyzed through paired and parallel coding. SSL groups formed during an early trial and error period. SSL groups differed in size, function, frequency of meeting, and degree of socialization. Benefits of SSL included increased efficiency, peer benchmarking and social support. Drawbacks included increased stress and distraction. SSL was enabled or challenged by geographical factors, personal circumstances, and time. All students had been advised to engage in SSL. However, social and academic advantage influenced students’ abilities to engage in SSL, which ultimately affected their social experiences. This study suggests implications of SSL on medical student welfare. A better understanding of SSL can better enable medical educators to support students.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.social learningundergraduate medical educationMedical studentsqualitative researchEducationEducation--HigherBiophysics--Medicalmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/12296