The Effect of Microlearning-Based Education Compared to Lecture Method on Nursing Competence of Undergraduate Nursing Students: An Interventional Study
To evaluate and compare the effect of microlearning-based education and traditional lecture method on nursing competence scores among undergraduate nursing students.
Design
Single-blind, two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial conducted on 100 nursing students. Randomization was performed using permuted blocks (block size of 4) based on a computer-generated random number table.
Settings and conduct
This study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Following written informed consent, eligible students were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Outcome evaluators and the data analyst were blinded to group assignments (single-blind). Data collection occurred at baseline and immediately post-intervention.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Active undergraduate nursing students (semesters 3 to 8) at the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin; Inclusion criteria: Written informed consent; ownership of a smartphone and continuous internet access; non-participation in concurrent similar educational programs; Exclusion criteria: Viewing less than 80% of microlearning modules or missing more than one face-to-face workshop session; academic probation, leave of absence, or withdrawal during the study; incomplete post-test questionnaires.
Intervention groups
Intervention group: Received microlearning educational modules, including short podcasts, infographics, and key instructional videos delivered via a dedicated digital messaging channel; Control group: Attended face-to-face educational workshops using traditional lecture and Q&A sessions based on the identical curriculum.
Main outcome variables
Overall nursing competence score; Subscale scores of nursing competence measured by the standardized Nursing Student Competence Scale (NSCS).
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260826070801N2
Registration date:2026-09-28, 1405/07/06
Registration timing:retrospective
Last update:2026-09-28, 1405/07/06
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-09-28, 1405/07/06
Registrant information
Name
Mohammadreza Asadi
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 28 3345 6169
Email address
mr.asadi@qums.ac.ir
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-04-01, 1405/01/12
Expected recruitment end date
2026-06-20, 1405/03/30
Actual recruitment start date
2026-04-01, 1405/01/12
Actual recruitment end date
2026-06-20, 1405/03/30
Trial completion date
2026-07-01, 1405/04/10
Scientific title
The Effect of Microlearning-Based Education Compared to Lecture Method on Nursing Competence of Undergraduate Nursing Students: An Interventional Study
Public title
Comparison of Microlearning-Based Education and Lecture Method on Nursing Competence of Nursing Students
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Willingness to participate and provision of written informed consent
Active enrollment in the undergraduate nursing program (semesters 3 to 8)
Ownership of a smartphone, continuous internet access, and proficiency in navigating digital messaging platforms
Exclusion criteria:
Viewing less than 80% of educational micro-modules in the dedicated channel (intervention) or missing more than one face-to-face workshop session (control)
Academic probation, leave of absence, or voluntary withdrawal during the study period
Non-completion or incomplete submission of post-test assessment instruments.
Age
From 18 years old to 30 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
Data analyser
Sample size
Target sample size:
100
Actual sample size reached:
94
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
1:1 ratio allocation using permuted block randomization (block size of 4). The allocation sequence was generated by an independent statistical consultant using a computer-generated random number table. Allocation concealment was maintained using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Single blinded
Blinding description
Outcome evaluators and data analysts were blinded to group assignments.
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Research Ethics Committees of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences
Nursing Competence and Nursing Education (Microlearning-based Education)
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Nursing competence score of undergraduate nursing students
Timepoint
At baseline (prior to the intervention) and immediately after completion of the 4-week educational intervention
Method of measurement
Nursing Student Competence Scale (a 28-item questionnaire scored on a 5-point Likert scale)
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Intervention group: Received microlearning-based educational content over a period of 4 weeks. The content consisted of short audio podcasts, educational infographics, and concise instructional videos delivered regularly via a dedicated channel on a digital messaging platform. The educational topics were strictly aligned with the course objectives.
Category
Other
2
Description
Control group: Control group: Attended face-to-face educational workshops using traditional lecture methods and question-and-answer sessions over a period of 4 weeks. Sessions were conducted according to a scheduled timetable at the faculty, presenting content with identical educational topics and learning objectives to the intervention group.
Category
Other
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Mohammadreza Asadi
Street address
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Bahonar Blvd.
City
Qazvin
Province
Qazvin
Postal code
3419759811
Phone
+98 28 3333 6001
Email
mr.asadi@qums.ac.ir
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Qazvin University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Vice-Chancellor for Research and Technology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences
Street address
Vice-Chancellery for Research and Technology, 1st Sub-alley, Movaddat Alley, Shahid Beheshti Blvd.
City
Qazvin
Province
Qazvin
Postal code
3415613911
Phone
+98 28 3335 0056
Email
researchdpt@qums.ac.ir
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Qazvin University of Medical Sciences
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic
Person responsible for general inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Qazvin University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Mohammadreza Asadi
Position
دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد پرستاری مراقبتهای ویژه
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Nursery
Street address
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Bahonar Blvd.
City
Qazvin
Province
Qazvin
Postal code
3419759811
Phone
+98 28 3333 6001
Email
mr.asadi@qums.ac.ir
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Qazvin University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Dr. Farnoosh Rashvand
Position
Faculty Member
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Nursery
Street address
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Bahonar Blvd.
City
Qazvin
Province
Qazvin
Postal code
3419759811
Phone
+98 28 3333 6001
Email
f.rashvand@qums.ac.ir
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Qazvin University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Mohammadreza Asadi
Position
Master student of critical care nursing
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Medical Education
Street address
No. 1, Iman 4, Emam Khomeini Blvd, Bavers, Alvand city, Qazvin
City
Qazvin
Province
Qazvin
Postal code
3491141700
Phone
+98 28 3345 6169
Fax
Email
mr.asadi@qums.ac.ir
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Not applicable
Analytic Code
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
De-identified individual participant data (including baseline and post-intervention nursing competence scores and demographic variables), study protocol, and informed consent form.
When the data will become available and for how long
Access will begin 6 months after the publication of the main study results and will remain available for 3 years.
To whom data/document is available
Researchers and academic investigators affiliated with recognized universities and scientific research institutions.
Under which criteria data/document could be used
Solely for secondary analysis, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Access will be granted following the evaluation and approval of the applicant's research proposal by the research team.
From where data/document is obtainable
ارسال درخواست کتبی از طریق ایمیل به محقق اصلی (محمدرضا اسدی) به آدرس mr.asadi@qums.ac.ir یا استاد راهنما (دکتر فرنوش رشوند) به آدرس f.rashvand@qums.ac.ir.
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
The request and proposal will be reviewed by the research team within 2 to 4 weeks. Upon scientific and ethical approval, the de-identified data file will be shared via email.
Comments
Personal identifiable information of participants will strictly not be shared under any circumstances.