Unveiling a New Anatomy Mnemonics Subcategorization: An Analysis of Contents Extracted from Books, Websites, and Social Media

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Anatomy, Brahmanbaria Medical College, Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh

2 Department of Anatomy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: In the field of Anatomy, it often becomes necessary to remember any part of information by memorization, and later retrieve it. However, finding appropriate anatomical mnemonics and organizing them in a practical and universally acceptable system can be challenging for learners, teachers, and researchers. This research aimed to develop a subcategorization format for four selected categories of anatomical mnemonics according to different identified characteristics and to determine the frequencies of each category and subcategory.
Methods: This content analysis was conducted in the Department of Anatomy at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 2017 to 2018. Anatomical mnemonics were collected from various sources, including books, websites, and social media. A qualitative and quantitative content analysis was used for data analysis. Each 272 extracted anatomical mnemonics was categorized according to any of the four selected mnemonic techniques: Acronym, Acrostic, Rhyme, and Storytelling. A subcategorization format was then devised based on seven identifiable characteristics: Meaningfulness, Meaningful Relationship, Humor, Eroticism, Absurdity, Anatomical Aspect Dealt with, and Language. Each mnemonic was then subcategorized, and the frequency of each of those techniques and characteristics was finally calculated.
Results: Over 70% of the 272 mnemonics utilized the Acrostic technique. Among the 59 identifiable options within the seven subcategories, 36 options were identified in the mnemonics, and the frequencies were finally reported. An eight-symbol formula was created to represent the techniques used and the characteristics identifiable in individual mnemonics.
Conclusion: The findings contribute to the development of a database of anatomical mnemonics, facilitating the identification and selection of appropriate mnemonics for teaching, learning, and research. This database can also incorporate specific tags when adding new mnemonics.

Highlights

Najnin Akhter (Google Scholar)

Keywords

References

  1. Balaji DR, Ramniklal DB, Balasupramanian N, Malathi ER. Mnemonics for higher education using contemporary technologies. Second International Conference of the Omani Society for Educational Society; 2013; Muscat, Oman. Cornell University: arXiv; 2013. doi:10.48550/arXiv.1305.2609.
  2. Mostafa EA, El Midany AA. Review of mnemonic devices and their applications in cardiothoracic surgery. Journal of the Egyptian Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. 2017;25(1):79-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jescts.2017.03.005.
  3. Turney BW. Anatomy in a modern medical curriculum. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2007;89(2):104-7. doi: 10.1308/003588407X168244. PubMed PMID:17346399; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1964553.
  4. Moxham BJ, Plaisant O. Perception of medical students towards the clinical relevance of anatomy. Clin Anat. 2007;20(5):560-4. doi:10.1002/ca.20453. PubMed PMID:
  5. McDeavitt JT, King KC, McDeavitt KR. Learning brainstem anatomy: a mnemonic device. PM&R. 2014 Oct 1;6(10):963-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.03.013, PMid:24713180.
  6. Gruneberg MM. The role of memorization techniques in finals examination preparation‐‐a study of psychology students. Educational Research. 1973;15(2):134-9. doi:10.1080/0013188730150209.
  7. Dennis H. congos,S.Ed. Starting Out in Community College, Proven Strategies for Academic Success Building Learning and Study Skills. USA: McGraw Hill Education; 2011.
  8. Bellezza FS. Mnemonic devices: Classification, characteristics, and criteria. Review of Educational Research. 1981;51(2):247-75. doi:10.3102/00346543051002247.
  9. Bakken JP, Simpson CG. Mnemonic strategies: Success for the young adult learner. The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning. 2011;7(2):79.
  10. Qureshi A, Rizvi F, Syed A, Shahid A, Manzoor H. The method of loci as a mnemonic device to facilitate learning in endocrinology leads to improvement in student performance as measured by assessments. Adv Physiol Educ. 2014;38(2):140-4. doi: 10.1152/advan.00092.201. PubMed PMID: 25039085; PubMed Central PMCID:
  11. Kunduru AR, Kandepu R. Data archival methodology in enterprise resource planning applications (Oracle ERP, Peoplesoft). Journal of Advances in Mathematics and Computer Science. 2023;38(9):115-27. doi:10.9734/jamcs/2023/v38i91809.
  12. Mahalakshmi B, Duraiswamy K. An overview of categorization techniques. International Journal of Modern Engineering Research (IJMER). 2012;2(5).
  13. Domen K, Andreja K. Mnemonics - Memory Methods For More Effective Learning. International Journal of Education Humanities and Social Science. 2023;6(4). doi:10.54922/IJEHSS.2023.0541.
  14. Smith, AG, editor. Irving’s anatomy mnemonics, 4th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 1988. P. 110.
  15. Khan K. Mnemonics and study tips for medical students. 3rd ed. Florida: CRC press; 2008. P. 224. doi:10.1201/b13410.
  16. Ray JG, Stein M Medical mnemonics: a politically correct, non-inclusive approach to remember things you might otherwise forget in med school. Toronto; St. Michael’s Hospital; 2017.
  17. Oxford Medical Education. An online medical education platform for doctors and medical students. Oxford University. Available from: http://www.oxfordmedicaleducation.com/medical-mnemonics/anatomy.
  18. ValueMD: An Official Online Platform for Foreign Medical Schools with English Programs. Available from: https://valuemd.com.
  19. List of Medical Mnemonics 2017. Wikipedia, wiki article. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medical_mnemonics.
  20. Pinky Facebook update. 2017. Available from: https://m.facebook.com/groups/301977063275093?view=permalink&id=901762223296571.
  21. Marzano RJ, Pickering D, Pollock JE. Classroom instruction that works: Research-based strategies for increasing student achievement. Alexandria, VA: ASscd; 2001.
  22. McPherson F. Mnemonics at a glance. A collection of articles on mnemonic strategies from the Mempowered website. Available from: https://www.mempowered.com/sites/default/files/books/mnemonics.pdf.
  23. Ericsson KA. Exceptional memorizers: Made, not born. Trends in cognitive sciences. 2003;7(6):233-5. doi: 10.1016/S1364-6613(03)00103-7.
  24. McCabe JA, Osha KL, Roche JA, Susser JA. Psychology students’ knowledge and use of mnemonics. Teaching of psychology. 2013;40(3):183-92. doi:10.1177/0098628313487460.
  25. Safi MI, Badillo-Urquiola K, Shahid S, Zaheer Z, Haider M, Mahmood H. Using Native Tongue Mnemonics to Enhance English Learning. In Proceedings of the 2018 ACM International Conference on Supporting Group Work; 2018 Jan 7-10; Florida, Sanibel Island, USA. New York, NY, United States Association for Computing Machinery; 2018. doi:10.1145/3148330.3154509.
  26. Jurowski K, Jurowska A, Krzeczkowska M. Comprehensive review of mnemonic devices and their applications: State of the art. International E-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education. 2015;9(3). doi: 10.56026/imu.9.3.4.
  27. Henry S, Brasel K, Stewart RM. Advanced Trauma Life Support. 10th ed. Chicago, Illinois, U.S: American College of Surgeons; 2018. 474.
  28. Dunlosky J, Rawson KA, Marsh EJ, Nathan MJ, Willingham DT. Improving students’ learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychol Sci. 2013;14(1):4-58. doi:10.1177/1529100612453266.
  29. Ward PJ, Walker JJ. The influence of study methods and knowledge processing on academic success and long‐term recall of anatomy learning by first‐year veterinary students. Anat Sci Educ. 2008;1(2):68-74. doi:10.1002/ase.12.
  30. Tullis JG, Fraundorf SH. Selecting effectively contributes to the mnemonic benefits of self-generated cues. Mem Cognit. 2022;50(4):765-781. doi: 10.3758/s13421-021-01245-3. PubMed PMID: 3
  31. Selle ML. Memorization strategies for anatomy and physiology. Montana: Montana State University; Available from: https://scholarworks.montana.edu/items/f1f87fa1-e4af-45cf-b95c-95c05caaf302.
  32. Lewis Jr JB, Mulligan R, Kraus N. The importance of medical mnemonics in medicine. Winter 2018:30-35.

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 08 August 2023
  • Revise Date: 16 February 2024
  • Accept Date: 28 February 2024
  • Publish Date: 01 March 2024

Share

How to cite

Statistics