Journal of Education and Health Promotion 2277-9531 13 1 2023 01 01 Perceptions of medical undergraduate students toward biomedical research – A sequential, explanatory, mixed‑method study from Puducherry, South India 1 7 28291 EN . Gaurang Narayan 0000-0003-0546-1140 . Anandaraj Rajagopal 0000-0002-1429-3241 . Lopamudra Moharana Journal Article 2023 02 22 BACKGROUND: Biomedical research is not given adequate attention during undergraduation<br />due to the failure of the medical curriculum to motivate the students to take up research, teach the<br />research methodology, and emphasize the scope of research in the future. Our objective was to<br />study the perceptions of medical undergraduate students toward biomedical research and to explore<br />the facilitators and barriers to biomedical research.<br />MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an explanatory, sequential, mixed‑method study. Consenting<br />medical undergraduate students, irrespective of their previous contribution to research, were<br />interviewed by a pretested questionnaire concerning biomedical research, its barriers, and facilitators.<br />For the qualitative component, two focused group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among<br />students in the nonclinical and clinical phases. Data were analyzed and expressed as percentages.<br />Thematic manual content analysis of the transcribed manuscripts was performed.<br />RESULTS: This study included 553 participants. Only 5.52% had previous experience undertaking<br />research. Self‑interest and acquiring deeper knowledge were identified as drivers. Lack of motivation,<br />proper guidance, and training in research methodology was found to be the barrier among 90% of<br />the subjects. The FGD reflected the perceptions of students and variations in their ideologies toward<br />taking up research.<br />CONCLUSION: It becomes important to analyze the factors that promote or avert a student from<br />taking up research. A thorough investigation in this regard will be helpful for future cohorts of<br />medical students and will impact their decisions on taking up research and in seeking a career in<br />research‑based fields.<br /><br /> https://jehp.mui.ac.ir/article_28291_18e3edde68ba02d261c04c136b08484c.pdf