Perceptions and barriers towards research among medical students: A mixed-method study

Background Research is important for medical education and evidence-based patient care. Efforts should be made to enhance student engagement in research. Students should be able to appraise the literature to identify credible and high-quality research critically. Hence, it is necessary to understand the reasons that deter students from getting involved in research, which will help institutions and universities initiate effective measures. We identified factors associated with research attitudes among medical students and assessed barriers to research practice among them. Methods A mixed-method study was done at a rural medical college in southern Karnataka from October to December 2021. A quantitative method was used to assess perceptions and practices towards research through a cross-sectional survey. The questionnaire consisted of separate sections to gather information regarding the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and their perceptions and practices regarding research among medical students. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to identify barriers to conducting research from the students' perspective. Results Of 575 participants, 40.9% of students had good knowledge, 50.8% had a favourable attitude, and 11.1% had satisfactory research practice. The MBBS phase of study and peer involvement in research were independent factors associated with students' research attitudes (p=0.04 and p=0.002, respectively). FGDs revealed that the lack of awareness and interest (24, 40%), lack of guidance (18, 30%), feasibility issues (12, 20%), and a rigid curriculum (6, 10%) were the barriers to research from the students' perspective. Conclusion Knowledge about research is not translated into practice due to certain barriers. Hence, students need to be equipped with skills to conduct and complete research projects independently. Institutions need to develop and implement effective strategies to promote research among undergraduates.