Attitude and Perceived Barriers towards Research among Undergraduate Medical Students of Bangladesh (Preprint)

Abstract

Undergraduate research opportunities teach students not only how to conduct research, but they too learn problem-solving aptitudes. Participating in research also increases students' interest in being involved and making special contributions to the academic field.

The aim of our study was intended to assess the attitude and perceived barriers toward research among the medical undergraduates of Bangladesh.

A cross-sectional questionnaire based survey was conducted among third, fourth, and fifth year students of medical colleges in Bangladesh, during the month of July, 2020 to December, 2020. A Google-linked questionnaire was disseminated to the students via different social platform and the responses were received through Google drive.

The questionnaire of the survey received responses from 1279 students, with 94% claiming to be familiar with the scientific method. Most of the students (82.7%) mentioned that they could design and execute a research project as well as can write scientific articles. More than half of the respondents (66.4%) expressed an interest in participating in research. Almost all respondents (96.7%) agreed that research is beneficial as it aid in critical thinking and policy implementation. Almost two-third of respondents (79.8%) opined that education on research methodology is required in the medical curriculum. Majority of the respondents reported that inadequate time and priorities (89.1%), insufficient guidance (86.6%), inadequate familiarities with research methodology (87.5%) and statistical analysis (85.2%) were the barriers of research.

Findings of this study indicated that Bangladeshi medical students had a positive attitude toward research and they wish that research methodology should be taught in undergraduate medical education. In order to increase participation in research, the challenges identified by students may be addressed.