Practices, perceptions, attitudes, barriers and motivation and its impacts on research publication

Abstract

Introduction: Although medical research (MR) is constantly promoted, a global deficit of medical researchers has been noted. We aimed to explore the relationship among practice, perceptions, attitudes, barriers and motivation toward MR and its impacts on MR publication. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 262 senior medical students and interns. An electronic, standardised Likert scale questionnaire was used to collect the data. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratio between characteristics and MR publication. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm the loading factor of each question, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to investigate the relationship between latent variables and MR publication. Results: Cronbach’s alpha revealed a good internal reliability of 0.93. The accumulated grade point average did not differ between those who had published and those who had not. MR presentations were strongly associated with MR publication. SEM showed that attitudes (0.71, p<0.001) and perceptions (0.27, p<0.001) had a direct effect on practices. Practices (0.49, p<0.001) and attitudes (0.30, p<0.001) had a direct effect on motivation, while motivation had a total effect = 0.36, p<0.001 on MR publication through MR presentation as a mediator. Conclusion: Positive attitudes and perceptions might lead to positivity in the intention to practice MR, which would lead to motivation and finally increase the odds of MR publication. Different approaches to promote excitement and perceptions in MR learning should be encouraged by teachers and faculty members. Keywords: Medical Research, Students, Perceptions, Attitudes, Barriers, Motivation