In Search Of Research- Cross Sectional Study To Assess Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Research In Undergraduate Medical Students.

ABSTRACT

Background & Objective of the study Research in medical field is growing in leaps and bounds creating a new career option for the students. But there is poor understanding of research and its vastness among undergraduate students. There is dire need to expose undergraduate students to some basics of research activity. Prior to their orientation towards research there is a need to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of research so as to pave way for developing new methodologies, strategies to foster student interest in research as an academic career and help create young researchers among this field.Objective of the study was to assess the knowledge,attitude and practice of research among medical undergraduate students.Materials & methods: A pre-validated questionnaire was prepared, provided to II Phase-II term MBBS students and their response was collected. Quantitative evaluation of the data acquired was done. Results: Response rate to the questionnaire was 84.8%. Though 81.2% students showed positive attitude towards research, mean score of research knowledge was 51.7% and mean score of research practice was only 11.9%. Conclusion: Undergraduate students have positive attitude towards research but their knowledge & practice of research is low. Further steps have to be undertaken to raise this bar of knowledge and practice of research among the undergraduate students.