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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
School of Dental Sciences
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,
School of Dental Sciences
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