Knowledge and Attitudes amongst Medical Students on Health Research and Scientific Publications

Authors

  • Mahanta Putul
  • Kinkar Mahanta
  • Kalim Ullah
  • Deka Subha Jyoti
  • Dutta Bhaskar Jyoti

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i2.14341

Keywords:

Medical education; research methodology; skill.

Abstract

Introduction: Most of the medical colleges, in general, have been suffering from lack of health research
and scientific publications among the students in particulars and faculties in general. Health research and
scientific publications are important medical students’ activity for healthy and prosperous medical education.
Objective: This study assesses the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding health research and scientific
publications among medical students. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted
among 100 medical students and were randomly picked up at Assam Medical College and Hospital in the
year 2019. A prefix pretested proforma was used to determine the knowledge and attitudes of the students.
Informed consent was taken. The data thus obtained was analyzed using MS Excel. Results: A total of
25(25%) students feel confident in interpreting and writing a research paper, while 39(39%) says they can
do it with seniors’ support.
In comparison, 20(20%) says no it saying their incapabilities of doing it. Majority 70(70%) students say
that they have not participated in a research project (apart from mandatory academic projects) and 90(90%)
says that they were never written any scientific paper. A good number of 80(80%) students feel that lack of
a mentor is the cause of no publication while 60(60%) students believe that undergraduate students can plan
and conduct a research project and write a scientific paper. Lack of facilities for doing research is accepted
by 50(50%) of students to be another cause of no research and publication while 40(40%) receive lack of
funding to be the root cause of no study. Conclusion: With the limited resources of this study, our findings
have highlighted a low to moderate level of knowledge of undergraduate medical students in research
methodology principles and the critical impact of research methodology workshops. These findings can be
utilized for future health research planning to improve the situation in India’s field of medical education.

Author Biographies

  • Mahanta Putul

    Professor and Head, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

  • Kinkar Mahanta

    Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pediatric Surgery
    Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam

  • Kalim Ullah

    Assistant Professor of Dentistry, Tezpur Medical College and Hospital,
    Tezpur, Assam, India

  • Deka Subha Jyoti

    Associate Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Assam Medical College,
    Dibrugarh, Assam

  • Dutta Bhaskar Jyoti

    Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Tezpur Medical College and Hospital, Tezpur, Assam,
    India

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Published

2021-03-24

How to Cite

Knowledge and Attitudes amongst Medical Students on Health Research and Scientific Publications. (2021). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 15(2), 395-399. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i2.14341