فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of medical students about research has been little explored. Althoughthere has been a practice of medical research among undergraduate level, the practice is not universaland there have been potential barriers and difficulties in carrying out the research. The present studywas done to find the perception and attitude toward medical research and to assess the practicesand potential barriers in carrying out medical research.METHODOLOGY: This cross‑sectional study was conducted among 344 medical school studentsof a medical college in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in 2018. Systematic random sampling was used.The study tool was self‑administered questionnaire including questions on knowledge, barrier, and5‑point Likert scale for assessing attitude. Adequate knowledge (>70% correct answers) and positiveattitude (>25 score) were considered.RESULTS: Among the 344 study participants, only 127 (36.9%) of students had adequate knowledgeand 68 (19.8%) had positive attitude toward medical research. Regarding practice of research, only34.3% had conducted a research and only 17.4% had published in journals. Difficulty in choosingtopic, difficulty in collecting data, and allocation of time amidst academic activities were considered asa barrier by 41.6%, 40.7%, and 45.9%, respectively. Association of adequate knowledge and practicewas statistically significant for age (P = 0.000), gender (P = 0.000), and academic year (P = 0.000).CONCLUSION: Adequate knowledge and positive attitude were lacking in majority of students.Barriers could be addressed by support programs and sensitization toward research.