STATUS OF RESEARCH AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS OF URMIA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCIENCES IN (KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE)

Research is one of the most influential tools for developing students’ potential
talents. This study aimed to assess students’ awareness, attitude, and performance regarding
researching activities in the Urmia University of Medical Sciences.
Materials & Methods: Totally, in this descriptive-analytic study, we randomly selected 70 male and
female students of medicine. They were (35 male and 35 female) between 21 and 36 years old. Likert
question type inventories were used to determine students’ awareness and attitude toward the
importance of research and their performance in this case. Findings were presented based on
descriptive data analysis and tests.
Results: The sum of positive responses to the question: “Are you interested in researching activities?”
were 52 (74.3%) and the rest 18 students (25.7% of all test subjects) responded negatively. When they
were asked: “Do you have enough time for researching activities?” the answer of 16 students (22.8%)
was positive versus 54 (77.2%) of negative responses. Totally 8 students (11.4% of all test subjects)
believed that there are enough lab equipment and facilities available. However, 48 students (68.6% of
all test subjects) believed otherwise, and 14 students (20%) had no idea in this case. The research
performance of students was evaluated as follows: poor for 35 students (50%); moderate for 28
students (40%); good for 5 students (7.1%) and excellent for 2 students (2.9%). The total average of
attitude appraisal value was 77.85% for all 70 students.
Conclusion: The majority of students has plenty of time for doing research and do not have living and
occupational difficulties. The lack of proper informing policy and integrated motivating programs are
the cause for the lack of interest toward researching activities among students.