Abstract

Background: Research training is a critical element of education in the medical field. Continued progress in medicine is fundamentally dependent on the training and performance of scientists dedicated to research in health sciences. Aim and
Objective: This study was taken up with an objective to assess the attitude, knowledge, and barriers toward research through questionnaires among medical undergraduate students at Apollo Medical College.
Materials and Methods: MBBS students of AIMSR, Hyderabad, who were willing to participate in the study were asked to answer a pre-validated questionnaire regarding the above aspects toward research. Chi-square test was used for the analysis of association between A, BR, and K across different MBBS phases. Factor analysis was used to reduce the dimensionality and explain percentage of variation in all the three domains.
Results: Students had a positive attitude toward research and also believed that research promotes critical thinking at the undergraduate level but had no enough knowledge to conduct research effectively with proper protocol. On the other hand, when it came to assessing the barriers toward research; the main barriers were lack of time to conduct research because of educational tasks. Conclusion: Conducting research methodology course periodically and allocating credited hours in their educational schedules for research activities can encourage students to take up research in early medical career. Awareness among students about the existing research promoting schemes undertaken by the government and medical institutes is mandatory for the students to initiate research activity at the undergraduate level.