Barriers and Challenges of Performing Research Activities from the Perspective of Students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

Increasing research activities in each country provides the opportunities for development and progress. The current study was conducted to analyze the perspective of students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences about the barriers of performing research activities. In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, a total of 364 students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences were selected through cluster random sampling in the academic year 2013-2014. A researcher-made questionnaire designed according to Likert scale, was used to collect the required data. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS-16 software. Among the factors affecting research activities, the highest rank was reported for personal factors and the lowest rank was found for research factors. Moreover, personal factors were shown to have the maximum effect on doing research and organizational and research factors were reported as barriers to research activities. Therefore, reinforcement of research skills through workshops on promotion of research capabilities and provision of material and spiritual incentives can be efficient.