A survey on barriers in performing research activities from the perspective of faculty members of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, 2011‎

Background: Research can be considered as the essential component of progress in every country. The purpose of this study is to determine the barriers to performing research activities from the viewpoint of faculty members in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences.
Method: This cross – sectional study was performed in 2011 on all 229 faculty members, using a questionnaire consisting of a demographic section and a research barrier one in Likert scale. Data analysis was performed using the software SPSS 16.

Results: Organizational barriers were found to have a high frequency, there is a significant relationship between organizational factors and research factors (P < 0.001). Including insufficiency of the income from doing research, inapplicability of the research findings, and tough formalities to mention just the major ones. Personal factors were found to be important, too the highest frequencies were related to family problems and unwillingness to perform research.

Conclusions: the findings indicate the necessity of eliminating research barriers on the part of the vice – chancellor of Research & Technology of the university and related authorities.In addition, some actions like material and non-material incentives and providing opportunities for research can be important measures to improve both the quality and quantity of research projects.