SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF MEDICAL STUDENTS TOWARDS SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Abstract

Objectives: The primary objective of our study is to assess the existing level
knowledge and attitudes towards scientific research amongst medical students of a medical
college in Lahore. Study Design: Quantitative descriptive questionnaire-based survey. Period:
June to September 2017 on fourth year and final year students of MBBS. Setting: Medical
College in Lahore. Methods: After informed consent and briefing, the questionnaire was
distributed to the participants. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: A total
of 200 students were contacted out of which 102 responded (response rate51%). The result
showed that the knowledge assessment score of final year was lower than fourth year but the
difference was not statistically significant. The knowledge was low in both the groups. Attitude
score was slightly higher in 4th year as compared to 5th year. Conclusion: The study indicated
less knowledge but positive attitude of medical students towards scientific research. Moreover,
the culture of research needs to be developed in our undergraduate medical education.