IADR Abstract Archives
Dental Students' Perceptions of Research
Objectives:
The application of research in the dental field has been crucial in developing new technologies, expanding knowledge of oral diseases and improving patient care. However, there has been debate on how the actual process of conducting research is perceived and the effect this has on undergraduate students.
The proposed hypothesis was ‘Being taught in an active research environment has significant benefits for undergraduates’. The objectives of the research project were to investigate and develop an understanding of the value students hold of research and how this impacts their studies.
Methods:
Previous literature on university students’ perceptions on research were analysed. The information was compared to the data collected from the mixed-design questionnaire which interrogated students’ prior experience and perceptions regarding the importance of research, the skills and opportunities available and the faculty’s involvement in research activity. This was sent with ethical permission to undergraduate dental students at Sheffield University. SPSS Statistics was used to carry out non-parametric tests such as chi-squared tests to analyse the data gathered and identify themes.
Results:
A total of 64 responses were received. Although many students expressed eagerness and awareness of the value research had on their education, they lacked significant research experience. Further analysis showed there was no significant difference in the responses to questions relating to prior research tasks by students in earlier years compared to later years. Common themes were identified such as the barriers to conducting research, the impact of research on clinical experience and the integration of research projects into the teaching curriculum. Many of these perceptions correlated with previous research literature carried out with students in the scientific field.
Conclusions: Although dental students held a high value for research, the barriers for conducting research as undergraduates have prevented many from taking an active role in research themselves.
The application of research in the dental field has been crucial in developing new technologies, expanding knowledge of oral diseases and improving patient care. However, there has been debate on how the actual process of conducting research is perceived and the effect this has on undergraduate students.
The proposed hypothesis was ‘Being taught in an active research environment has significant benefits for undergraduates’. The objectives of the research project were to investigate and develop an understanding of the value students hold of research and how this impacts their studies.
Methods:
Previous literature on university students’ perceptions on research were analysed. The information was compared to the data collected from the mixed-design questionnaire which interrogated students’ prior experience and perceptions regarding the importance of research, the skills and opportunities available and the faculty’s involvement in research activity. This was sent with ethical permission to undergraduate dental students at Sheffield University. SPSS Statistics was used to carry out non-parametric tests such as chi-squared tests to analyse the data gathered and identify themes.
Results:
A total of 64 responses were received. Although many students expressed eagerness and awareness of the value research had on their education, they lacked significant research experience. Further analysis showed there was no significant difference in the responses to questions relating to prior research tasks by students in earlier years compared to later years. Common themes were identified such as the barriers to conducting research, the impact of research on clinical experience and the integration of research projects into the teaching curriculum. Many of these perceptions correlated with previous research literature carried out with students in the scientific field.
Conclusions: Although dental students held a high value for research, the barriers for conducting research as undergraduates have prevented many from taking an active role in research themselves.