Attitudes, motivators, and barriers to research participation among medical students in Nepal: a cross-sectional survey

Despite growing global emphasis on research engagement and competency in undergraduate medical education, a persistent gap of high interest in research with low actual participation exists. This gap is particularly pronounced in lower-middle-income countries like Nepal, where research is not yet a formal curricular competency. This study evaluated research interest, participation, motivators and barriers among Nepali undergraduate medical students and examined associations between formal research training and research involvement. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 319 undergraduate medical students enrolled across government and private medical colleges in Nepal between December 2025 and April 2026, following institutional review committee approval (IRC-NAIHS Registration Number 1452). Participants were recruited via convenience sampling through institutional email lists, social media groups, and student representatives. Data were collected using a validated, self-administered online questionnaire assessing research attitudes, participation, motivators, and perceived barriers, and analyzed using Pearson Chi-square tests with Cramer’s V and the Friedman test with Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc comparisons, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Out of 319 undergraduate medical students participated in the study (79.9% male; mean age 22.5 ± 2.82 years), only 21.3% had formal research methodology training and 36.9% had participated in research, despite broadly positive attitudes toward research. A supportive mentor (80.3%), desire to learn research skills (84.7%), and financial incentives (87.1%) were the top motivators. Lack of funding was rated the most significant moderate barrier, rated significantly higher than time and mentorship, though not significantly different from inadequate training. Formal research methodology training showed a strong positive association with research participation (χ²=57.794, p < 0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.426), and private college students demonstrated greater research involvement than public college counterparts. Nepali undergraduate medical students demonstrated positive attitudes toward research but exhibited low formal research methodology training and participation rates, with lack of funding, inadequate training, mentorship deficits, and workload identified as key barriers. Given the barriers identified, research training, mentorship, and small grants may help improve engagement, though interventional studies are needed to confirm effectiveness among medical students.