Fig 1. Sequential steps of the research module learning journey.

The qualitative component of this mixed methods research study generated this framework, depicting the different phases that students go through as part of the curriculum-based research module (represented as the Grey arrow). Each phase, representing a theme of the inductive analysis, appeared to be characterized by an interplay of two verbs. Hence, the code mindfully ascribed to each theme brings together two verbs, each starting with the letter ‘A’. The increasing size of circles represent the students’ accumulation of expertise (ie integrated knowledge and skills), and the color development (ie from light to dark) represents the gradual evolution that the students go through, over time.