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

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Supervisors.............................................................................................................................................. ii Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. iii Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................................... iv 1.0 2.0 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Literature Review........................................................................................................................ 3 Statement of Research Problem, Justification and Objectives .................................................... 5 Statement of Research............................................................................................................. 5 Justification of Study .............................................................................................................. 5 Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 5 Study Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 7 Study area................................................................................................................................ 7 Study population ..................................................................................................................... 7 Study design ............................................................................................................................ 7 Sample methods and sample size ............................................................................................ 7 Data collection techniques ...................................................................................................... 7 Inclusion criteria ..................................................................................................................... 7 Exclusion criteria .................................................................................................................... 8 Ethical considerations ............................................................................................................. 8 Data analysis ........................................................................................................................... 8 Variables ............................................................................................................................. 8 Budget ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Work Plan ................................................................................................................................. 10 Questionnaire ............................................................................................................................ 11 Consent Form ............................................................................................................................ 16 List of References ..................................................................................................................... 17

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:

ii

ABSTRACT

Background: The relevance of research is a fact, its importance in the fields of health studies traditionally recognized, its role in undergraduate education in the health fields debatable and the perception of undergraduate students towards it is ambivalent. There is insufficient data regarding the attitude, understanding and knowledge of undergraduate research among students.

Objective:

Objective of the study is to explore the knowledge and attitude of students

towards undergraduate research

Study area:

The study area will be the University of Nairobi Dental School and Referral

Hospital. The study population will be the second, third and fourth year students.

Study design:

A descriptive cross-sectional study will be carried out

Perceived benefits: The data obtained from this study can be used to highlight any issues that students have with regards to their perceptions and attitudes towards undergraduate research projects as well as be used to by educators as a reference to form a plan or improve on their curriculum so as to encourage student attitude, understanding and participation in undergraduate research. This study is also in partial fulfillment for the award of a degree in the Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Nairobi

iii

ABBREVIATIONS

BDS- Bachelor of Dental Sciences UON- University of Nairobi SPSS- Statistical Product and Service Solution SRC- Student Research Club

iv

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 school 1

However, research experience has traditionally been recognized as an important part of medical education. 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 initiatives
3 2

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

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 it entails. 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 mentors
8

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

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 agree
9

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 endeavors
10

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

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

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 objective Determine knowledge and attitudes of students towards undergraduate research

2. Specific objectives a. To determine the attitude towards undergraduate research projects

b. To establish whether level of knowledge among students with regards to undergraduate research c. To learn difficulties, if any, faced by the students when doing their research projects that might affect their perception d. To identify trends, if any, on how undergraduate research projects are perceived and done

4.0 STUDY METHODOLOGY

4.1 Study area

The 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 size

Students 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

4.7

Exclusion criteria
Students who do not give consent Students in their first year of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree

4.8

Ethical considerations
1. Permission to conduct the study will have to be sought from the Kenyatta National Hospital and University of Nairobi Ethics & Research Committee 2. Permission will be obtained from the Dean of the School of Dental Sciences to conduct the study within the University of Nairobi Dental School 3. Voluntary consent from students will be obtained 4. Information forwarded will remain strictly private and confidential and its integrity will be maintained.

4.9

Data analysis

Data will be analyzed and presented in the form of both tables and graphs. This will be done using the Statistical Product and Service Solution software and presented on MS Word documents

4.10 Variables
Variables Dependent Variables Gender Year of Study Independent Variables Student Knowledge Student Motivation Problems faced Measurement Male or Female 2nd, 3rd or 4th Low, Moderate, High Low, Moderate, High Financial-related, Time-related, Academic-related, Mentorship-related, Attitude-related Oral Pathology, Oral Surgery, Periodontology, Orthodontics, Endodontic, Paediatric Dentistry, Community Dentistry, Dental Materials Prosthetic Dentistry, Other Positive, Neutral, Negative

Discipline Chosen

Student Attitude

5.0 BUDGET
Item PROPOSAL
Printing

Number
75 pages (3 copies each with 25 pages) 3 1

Cost per unit (Kshs)

10

Cost (Kshs)
750

Binding Flash Disk Modem airtime Stationary

100 500 1000

300 500 2000 100 3650 50 1000

DATA COLLECTION
Printing questionnaires Photocopying questionnaires 5 pages 500 pages (100 copies each with 5 pages) 10 2

1050

REPORT WRITING
Printing of report 150 pages (3 copies each with 50 pages) 3 10 1500

Binding Logistics MISCELLANEOUS Miscellaneous costs

100

300 1500 3300 1000

TOTAL

9000

6.0 WORK PLAN

Timeline Mar 2012 June 2012 Activity Come up with Proposal Do Research on Proposal Draft Proposal Print Proposal for Submission Submit Proposal to Ethics & Research Committee for approval and await reply. Submit Letter to Deans Office for permission to carry out research and await reply Conduct research Compile data Print Findings Submit the findings to Department of Periodontology, Community and Preventive Dentistry

June 2012 July 2012

July 2012 September 2012 September 2012 October 2012

10

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

11

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

Yes No

5) 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 project related to any field of dentistry. How can you describe your attitude towards this the first time you heard it?

Positive Neutral Negative

12

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 say was 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

13

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? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

14

________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

6) How was your general motivation as you were doing your research project?

High Neutral Low

7) Can you say that you learned something new or expanded your knowledge from doing your research?

Yes No

8) Can you say you found the research initiative helpful to your education as an undergraduate student?

Yes No

9) From your experience, would you now consider a career in research?

Yes No

10) Please expand on your answer for No.6? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

15

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: ..

16

9.0 LIST OF REFERENCES

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

2. Hren D, Lukic IK, Marusic A, et al. ,Teaching Research Methodology in Medical Schools: 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 Research

Experience of Medical Students and their Scientific Output after Graduation, Med Educ, 2005;39:237

4. Nobigrot-Kleinman D., Nobigrot-Streimbleinsky M, Galvan-Huerta S., Autonomous National 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 on Health Professional Education 2007;9(2):27-38

6. Remes V, Helenius I, Sinisaari I, Research and Medical Students, Med Teach 2000;22(2):164-167 7. Silcox LC, Ashbury TL, Van der Kaerkhof EG, Milne B, Residents and Program Directors 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

17

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 Attitudes about 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 Attiude about Research

18