knowledge and attitude of dental students towards their undergraduate research projects

7/31/2019 Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Students Towards Their Undergraduate Research Projects

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KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF

DENTAL STUDENTS TOWARDS THEIR

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

PROJECTS

By

Sam Seremala Isaaka

BDS III

V28/23002/2008

A COMMUNITY DENTISTRY PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL

FULFILLMENT OF THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF DENTAL SURGERY


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Supervisors .............................................................................................................................................. ii

Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. iiiAbbreviations ......................................................................................................................................... iv1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 12.0 Literature Review ........................................................................................................................ 33.0 Statement of Research Problem, Justification and Objectives .................................................... 5

3.1 Statement of Research ............................................................................................................. 53.2 Justification of Study .............................................................................................................. 53.3 Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 5

4.0 Study Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 74.1 Study area ................................................................................................................................ 74.2 Study population ..................................................................................................................... 74.3 Study design ............................................................................................................................ 74.4 Sample methods and sample size ............................................................................................ 74.5 Data collection techniques ...................................................................................................... 74.6 Inclusion criteria ..................................................................................................................... 74.7 Exclusion criteria .................................................................................................................... 84.8 Ethical considerations ............................................................................................................. 84.9 Data analysis ........................................................................................................................... 84.10 Variables ............................................................................................................................. 8

5.0 Budget ......................................................................................................................................... 96.0 Work Plan ................................................................................................................................. 107.0 Questionnaire ............................................................................................................................ 118.0 Consent Form ............................................................................................................................ 169.0 List of References ..................................................................................................................... 17


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SUPERVISORS

Internal Supervisor

Professor Gathece

Chaiperson, Department of Periodontology, Community and Preventive Dentistry

School of Dental Sciences

University of Nairobi

Signature: . Date: .

External Supervisor

Dr. Muli T.

Tutorial Fellow, Department of Periodontology, Community and Preventive Dentistry


University of Nairobi

Signature: Date:


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ABBREVIATIONS

BDS- Bachelor of Dental Sciences

UON- University of Nairobi

SPSS- Statistical Product and Service Solution

SRC- Student Research Club


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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Understanding the role and importance of research and scholarship in dental education and

practice requires an appreciation of dentistry as a learned profession. A foundational attribute

for the members of such a profession has to be sheer intellectual curiosity-a trait as important

for the clinician as for the scientist. That improved patient care results from technical

advances made possible through research is not seriously disputed by anyone. What is less

apparent however is the role for research in the education and in the broader life of dental

school1

However, research experience has traditionally been recognized as an important part of

medical education.2

Its importance to the dental and medical fields is not disputed and as

such its value and role extends towards medical education as well. But despite the extension,

it can be reasoned that maybe the students themselves have differing if not varying

knowledge and understanding of research and its role in medical education. Contemporary

medical school entrants come from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and have

varying levels of research knowledge and experience. But in medical schools there has been

an increased emphasis upon evidence-based medicine and the application of scientific

research to clinical practice; it is becoming increasingly important for medical professionals

to possess sound understanding of scientific principles and methods and to be skillful at

acquisition and critical appraisal of new information. Studies have also proven that

involvement in research as a medical student is strongly associated with postgraduate

research initiatives3

Despite this notion of research and its recognized importance to the undergraduate medical

student being an almost universal modus vivendi, few studies exist on the attitudes and

perceptions of undergraduates themselves towards research and research education in medical

school. Previous studies have suggested that medical students generally have positive

attitudes towards scientific research in medicine and a career in research.4-6

But there are

published studies regarding resident and medical research in specialty training that have


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document ambivalent attitudes regarding its value. Study in Canada for example showed as

much as 75% of students preferred to engage in other activities other than research.7

A discussion of a study found that students have a narrow definition of research and what itentails. An explanation for why research competence does not align more closely with

research motivation is derived from students lack of understanding of the concept of

translational research, as well as a lack of awareness of the research activity being undertaken

by their teachers and mentors8

With this knowledge, the aim of this study was to determine knowledge and attitude of dental

students in the University of Nairobi towards their undergraduate dental research projects


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2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

A research study was carried out among dental students who joined a Student Research Club

(SRC) and those who did not. A questionnaire containing 20 items was administered to 93

students who were the members of SRC to learn their own perception of the development of

their academic and research skills and the broader impact of the club on their career. It was

evaluated using Likert scale (ranged from strongly disagree to strongly agree). Student

feedback was very positive and over three quarters (81%) of answers ranged between agree

and strongly agree9

An anonymous, cross-sectional, self-report questionnaire was administered to second and

fourth year students in three medical schools in Ontario between February and May of 2005.

Questions were primarily close-ended and consisted of Likert scales. There was a 47%

(327/699) overall response rate to the questionnaire. Within the survey, the medical students

were asked about their attitudes towards their education in research methodology and their

involvement in research projects, as well as perceived barriers to becoming involved in

research during medical school. The vast majority of all of the respondents (83%) agreed that

some participation in research was likely valuable within their medical education; however

only 44% of all responders agreed or strongly agreed that research will play a significant role

in their future career and only 38% agreed or strongly agreed that more time in medical

school be set aside to allow participation in research endeavors10

A cross-sectional pilot was study conducted among a group of Pakistani medical students to

find out the knowledge and attitudes about health research. Through stratified random

sampling, a pre-tested, structured and validated questionnaire was administered to 220

medical students and results given in percentages. The mean scores of students were 49% on

knowledge scale and 53.7% on attitude scale.11

A research skills questionnaire was administered to undergraduate medical students at

Reading University and it showed that over half the students (56.5%) rated moderate


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motivation, over one third rated high motivation (35.8%) and just 7.7% rated low motivation

towards undergraduate research.8

A study was also conducted on dental students at Ishfan University where data was collected

by a self-administered questionnaire consisting of three parts; knowledge, attitude and

demographic questions. The conclusion according to the results of this study, students

research knowledge was very low in spite of their attendance in research methodology

workshops (40.5%). 94% of students would absolutely agree with necessity in participation in

research activity during their study period, 23.5% were in agreement with the university

support for research activity and only 15.1% of students believed that participating in

research activity was a waste of time.12


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3.0 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM, JUSTIFICATION

AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 Statement of Research

Despite its perceived benefits and relevance of projects, and also despite it being an

acknowledged dogma that research experience is as an important part of medical education

both in learning and other future endeavors and initiatives, there seems to be an ambivalent

opinion, understanding and attitude on research among undergraduate students. This might be

due to the fact that students might have a narrow understanding of the definition, entailment

and benefit of research to undergraduates studies. Or maybe it might be due to the fact that

undergraduate research is not a priority to a student who is focusing on just graduating from

their course. One can imagine that the costs and sacrifices it requires (financially,

academically and in terms of time) might not be alluring to an undergraduate student.

Whatever it is, this study aims to try and understand the knowledge and perception of

undergraduate students towards undergraduate research projects and at the same time try

investigate and highlight any issues that undergraduates have with research.

3.2 Justification of Study

This study is being conducted because there is inadequate data on the topic of knowledge and

attitude of undergraduate students, in this case specifically dental students, towards the

research projects.

3.3 Objectives

1. Main objectiveDetermine knowledge and attitudes of students towards undergraduate research

2. Specific objectivesa. To determine the attitude towards undergraduate research projects


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b. To establish whether level of knowledge among students with regards toundergraduate research

c. To learn difficulties, if any, faced by the students when doing their researchprojects that might affect their perception

d. To identify trends, if any, on how undergraduate research projects areperceived and done


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4.0 STUDY METHODOLOGY

4.1 Study areaThe study will be conducted in the University of Nairobi Dental School and referral Hospital

located along Argwings Kodhek Road about 3km from the city center. It is East Africas

largest teaching and referral dental hospital attending to both out-patient and in-patients.

4.2 Study population

The study will be conducted on second, third and fourth year students who are currently, as of

the year 2012, pursuing the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Nairobi,


4.3 Study design

This will be a descriptive cross-sectional study

4.4 Sample methods and sample sizeStudents pursuing their Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree and who are in second, third and

fourth year.

4.5 Data collection techniques

A self-administered questionnaire will be used to collect data

4.6 Inclusion criteria

Students who are in Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree Students in their second, third and fourth year of study in the degree as of 2012 Students who will consent to the study


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5.0 BUDGET

Item Number Cost per unit (Kshs) Cost (Kshs)

PROPOSALPrinting 75 pages(3 copies each with

25 pages)

10 750

Binding 3 100 300

Flash Disk 1 500 500

Modem airtime 1000 2000

Stationary 100

3650

DATA COLLECTIONPrinting questionnaires 5 pages 10 50

Photocopying questionnaires 500 pages

(100 copies eachwith 5 pages)

2 1000

1050

REPORT WRITINGPrinting of report 150 pages

(3 copies each with

50 pages)

10 1500

Binding 3 100 300

Logistics 1500

3300

MISCELLANEOUS

Miscellaneous costs 1000TOTAL 9000


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6.0 WORK PLAN

Timeline Activity

Mar 2012June 2012 Come up with Proposal Do Research on Proposal Draft Proposal Print Proposal for Submission

June 2012July 2012 Submit Proposal to Ethics &Research Committee for approval

and await reply.

Submit Letter to Deans Office forpermission to carry out research

and await reply

July 2012September 2012 Conduct researchSeptember 2012October 2012 Compile data

Print Findings Submit the findings to

Department of Periodontology,

Community and Preventive

Dentistry


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7.0 QUESTIONNAIRE

Section A: Demographic Data

1) What is your gender? Female Male

2) What is your current year of study?

2nd year 3rd year 4th year

Section B: Knowledge about research

1) What is your definition of research?_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

2) Can you state a few benefits of research initiatives to the health profession?_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

3) Did you ever consider going into a career of research? Yes No


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4) Were you aware that postgraduate do research as part a partial requirement to fulfill theirdegree?

Yes No5) Were you aware that its possible for undergraduate students to conduct research projects

at undergraduate level?

Yes

No

6) Do you think undergraduate research is relevant to your education as a dental student? Yes No

7) State your reasons for your choice in No.5 ?___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Section C: Perception towards research

1) As a partial requirement, you are required to carry out an undergraduate research projectrelated to any field of dentistry. How can you describe your attitude towards this the first

time you heard it?

Positive Neutral Negative


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2) Please state the reasons for your choice above?________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3) How can you then describe your motivation towards carrying out your project? High Neutral Low

4) From what you were told about the project from your elder colleagues what can you saywas their general perception when talking about it?

Exciting and interesting Tiresome and boring Challenging but exciting Have not heard anyone talking about it

Section D: Experience from research

NB: This section should be done ONLY by third and fourth year students

1) How did you find your research experience?________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2) Which was your discipline of choice? Oral Pathology Oral Surgery Periodontology


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Orthodontics Radiology Endodontics Community Dentistry Dental Materials Paediatric Dentistry Prosthetic Dentistry Other

3) Why did you choose a topic in the above discipline? Seemed easy You had an interest in that field Pressure to pick a topic before the deadline You dont really know

4) Which of the following was your main difficulty you faced when doing your research?(You can choose a maximum of two)

Academic-related difficulties Time-related difficulties Mentorship-related difficulties Financial-related difficulties Motivation-related difficulties

5) Can you expound briefly on the difficulties you chose?________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________


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8.0 CONSENT FORM

I, Isaaka Sam, a 3rd

year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree in

the University of Nairobi hereby humbly request for your participation in the above

mentioned study, by kindly filling in the questionnaire that will form part of the fulfillments

of my degree course. Any data obtained from this study will be recorded and analyzed for

research purposes only and will be subject to absolute confidentiality and integrity.

Your participation is highly appreciated.

I, , do hereby freely consent to participate in the

study. I am informed that all information I shall give will be treated with the utmost integrity

and confidentiality.

Participants Signature: ..

Date: ..


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9.0 LIST OF REFERENCES

1. Bertolami C.N., The Role and Importance of Research and Scholarship in DentalEducation and Practice, Journal of Dental Education No.8, pages 918-923

2. Hren D, Lukic IK, Marusic A, et al. ,Teaching Research Methodology in MedicalSchools: Students attitudes towards and knowledge about science. Med Educ

2004;38(1):81-86

3. Reinders J.J., Kropmans T.J., Cohen-Schotanus J, Extracurricular ResearchExperience of Medical Students and their Scientific Output after Graduation, Med

Educ, 2005;39:237

4. Nobigrot-Kleinman D., Nobigrot-Streimbleinsky M, Galvan-Huerta S., AutonomousNational University of Mexico (UNAM) medical students attitudes to research and

learning 1984-1994, Salud Publica Mex, 1995;37(4):316-322.

5. Hyde S, Australian Medical Students interest in Research as a Career, Focus onHealth Professional Education 2007;9(2):27-38

6. Remes V, Helenius I, Sinisaari I, Research and Medical Students, Med Teach2000;22(2):164-167

7. Silcox LC, Ashbury TL, Van der Kaerkhof EG, Milne B, Residents and ProgramDirectors Attitudes Toward Research during Anesthesiology Training: A Canadian

Perspective

8. Burgoyne L.N. , O'Flynn S. and Boylan G., Medical Education Online 2010, 15: 5212- DOI: 10.3402/meo.v15i0.5212

9. Guven Y, Uysal O, European Journal of Dental Education 2011;15:90-97


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10.Robert Siemens et al, Survey of Attitudes Towards Research in Medical School,http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/10/4

11.Khan H, Khawaja M, Waheed A, Rauf M and Fatmi Z., Knowledge and Attitudesabout Health Research amongst a group of Pakistani Medical Students,

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/6/54

12.Ghafournia M, Motamedi Sh, Isfahan E.Y, Dental Students Knowledge and Attiudeabout Research

knowledge and attitude of dental students towards their undergraduate research projects

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