Perception and Concerns of Undergraduate Medical Students Toward Research: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Saira Baloch; Ayesha Farhat; Muhammad Riyyan; Kamal; Sawaira Sajid; Manayim Fatima; Saad Nazir; Urwat Ullah; Abdul Hafeez; Munesh Kumar; Muhammad Mubashir

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v3i1.495

Authors

Saira Baloch Bilawal Medical College for Boys, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Ayesha Farhat Department of Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Muhammad Riyyan Bilawal Medical College for Boys, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Kamal Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Sawaira Sajid Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Manayim Fatima Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Saad Nazir Bilawal Medical College for Boys, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Urwat Ullah Bilawal Medical College for Boys, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Abdul Hafeez Bilawal Medical College for Boys, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Munesh Kumar Bilawal Medical College for Boys, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
Muhammad Mubashir Bilawal Medical College for Boys, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i1.495

Keywords:

Medical Education, Undergraduate Research, Perceptions, Barriers, Mentorship, Curriculum Development, MeSH

Abstract

Background: Research engagement is a critical component of medical education, enhancing clinical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and innovation. Despite its importance, undergraduate medical students often face barriers to research participation, including limited time, inadequate mentorship, and insufficient curriculum integration. Objective: To evaluate the perceptions, awareness, and barriers faced by undergraduate medical students toward research and to identify actionable strategies to improve their engagement. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 70 undergraduate students at Bilawal Medical College, Pakistan, between September and November 2022. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire distributed during lecture sessions. Variables included perceptions of research benefits, career aspirations, awareness of funding agencies, and barriers to participation. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with results presented as frequencies, percentages, and associations using chi-square tests. Results: The mean age of participants was 22.52 years (SD = 2.95). Most students (67.1%) believed research was beneficial, and 52.9% recognized its role in clinical knowledge. However, only 24.3% viewed research as a future career option, and 15.7% were aware of funding agencies. Major barriers included lack of motivation and knowledge (51.4%) and curriculum integration (21.4%). Significant associations were found between funding awareness and perceived importance of research (χ² = 6.43, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Medical students value research but face significant barriers, including limited awareness and institutional support. Integrating structured research training and mentorship into the curriculum is essential to foster a research-oriented culture in medical education.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bin-Ghouth, A., Batarfi, S. A., Abonemi, A. H., Maknoon, A. S., Alkhanbshi, A. S., Khred, A., Bawazir, A. A., Ba-Jaber, A. A., Rezq, A. A., Maknoon, I., Badheeb, K. A., Alkathiri, M. S., Ba-Rbaa, M. A., Dhaiban, M., Bagumaish, O. A., Baslasel, O. S., Ba-rady, R. A., Algadry, S., & Bazanboor, T. O. (2023). Perception, attitude, and practice toward research among medical students in Hadhramout University, Yemen. BMC Medical Education, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04287-0

Alyousefi, N., Alnojaidi, J., Almohsen, A., Alghanoum, S., Alassiry, G., Alsanad, L., & Alzeer, S. (2023). How do medical students perceive their research experiences and associated challenges? Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 14, 9-20. https://doi.org/10.2147/amep.s395235

El Achi, D., Al Hakim, L., Makki, M., Mokaddem, M., Khalil, P. A., Kaafarani, B. R., & Tamim, H. (2020). Perception, attitude, practice and barriers towards medical research among undergraduate students. BMC Medical Education, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02104-6

Althubaiti, A., Al Muqbil, B., & Al Buraikan, D. (2017). Assessment of medical students’ attitudes towards research and perceived barriers. International Journal of Medical Students, 5(3), 95-98. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2017.28

Adebisi, Y. A. (2022). Undergraduate students’ involvement in research: Values, benefits, barriers and recommendations. Annals of Medicine & Surgery, 81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104384

Aziz, A., Mahboob, U., & Sethi, A. (2020). What problems make students struggle during their undergraduate medical education? A qualitative exploratory study. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 36(5). https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.5.2267

Al-Hilali, S. M., Al-Kahtani, E., Zaman, B., Khandekar, R., Al-Shahri, A., & Edward, D. P. (2016). Attitudes of Saudi Arabian undergraduate medical students towards health research. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 16(1), e68-73. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2016.16.01.012

Arshad, S., Huda, N. U., Nadeem, N., Ali, S., Ahmad, N., Anwar, S., Mustafa, M., Riaz, N., Waheed, M., & Junaid Khan Toori. (2021). Perceptions Of Medical Students About Research At Undergraduate Level. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 33(1), 129–133.

Apuke, O. D., & Iyendo, T. O. (2018). University students' usage of the internet resources for research and learning: Forms of access and perceptions of utility. Heliyon, 4(12), e01052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e01052

Stormes, K. N., Streicker, N. A., Bowers, G. K., Ayala, P., & Urizar, G. G. (2022). Impact of undergraduate research training programs: An illustrative example of finding a comparison group and evaluating academic and graduate school outcomes. Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research, 25-36. https://doi.org/10.18833/spur/5/3/8

Hren, D., Lukic, I. K., Marusic, A., Vodopivec, I., Vujaklija, A., Hrabak, M., & Marusic, M. (2004). Teaching research methodology in medical schools: Students' attitudes towards and knowledge about science. Medical Education, 38(1), 81-86. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2004.01735.x

Burgoyne, L. N., O'Flynn, S., & Boylan, G. B. (2010). Undergraduate medical research: The student perspective. Medical Education Online, 15(1), 5212. https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v15i0.5212

Brancati, F. L. (1992). Early predictors of career achievement in academic medicine. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 267(10), 1372. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1992.03480100078035

Schroter, S. (2006). Differences in review quality and recommendations for publication between peer reviewers suggested by authors or by editors. JAMA, 295(3), 314. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.295.3.314

Mullan, F. (2010). The social mission of medical education: Ranking the schools. Annals of Internal Medicine, 152(12), 804. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-152-12-201006150-00009

Nimmons, D., Giny, S., & Rosenthal, J. (2019). Medical student mentoring programs: Current insights. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 10, 113-123. https://doi.org/10.2147/amep.s154974

Khan, H., Khawaja, M. R., Waheed, A., Rauf, M. A., & Fatmi, Z. (2006). Knowledge and attitudes about health research amongst a group of Pakistani medical students. BMC Medical Education, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-6-54

Darbyshire, D., Gordon, M., Baker, P., Agius, S., & McAleer, S. (2018). Systematic review of interventions to encourage careers in academic medicine. Medical Teacher, 41(1), 61-67. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159x.2018.1438590

Seymour, E., Hunter, A., Laursen, S. L., & DeAntoni, T. (2004). Establishing the benefits of research experiences for undergraduates in the sciences: First findings from a three‐year study. Science Education, 88(4), 493-534. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.10131

Ommering, B. W., Van Blankenstein, F. M., Waaijer, C. J., & Dekker, F. W. (2018). Future physician-scientists: Could we catch them young? Factors influencing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for research among first-year medical students. Perspectives on Medical Education, 7(4), 248-255. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-018-0440-y

Cooke, M., Irby, D. M., Sullivan, W., & Ludmerer, K. M. (2006). American medical education 100 years after the Flexner report. New England Journal of Medicine, 355(13), 1339-1344. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmra055445

Levine, R. B., Mechaber, H. F., Reddy, S. T., Cayea, D., & Harrison, R. A. (2013). “A good career choice for women”. Academic Medicine, 88(4), 527-534. https://doi.org/10.1097/acm.0b013e31828578bb