Description and Pathology of Research Development in Tabriz Medical University

• Main Authors: Alireza Farajollahi, K Sedaghat, M Alizadeh, A Ashrafi Hafez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services 2009-02-01
• Series: Journal of Medical Education
• Subjects: FACULTY MEMBERS, RESEARCH PROBLEMS, INTRA-ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS
• Online Access: http://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/jme/article/view/725
• ISSN: 1735-3998; 1735-4005

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; text-align: left; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">Background and purpose: </span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">Research in medical science, as in all other fields of science, is necessary in order to maintain and improve the public health. This is achievable only by researchers and faculty members. This study is attempt o identify intra-organizational factors that influence research planning and related interventions in Tabriz Medical University.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; text-align: left; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">Methods: </span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the study group included all faculty members and masters of science (equivalent to faculties) in Tabriz Medical University, of which 121 persons were</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; text-align: left; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">selected randomly. Lickert style questionnaires were developed to evaluate and compare the attitudes toward project approval process, knowledge about research facilities, departmental cooperations</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; text-align: left; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">in research, and researchers’ capabilities in project execution. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; text-align: left; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">Results: </span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">During a 3 year period, each faculty member had, on average, supervised 5.17 dissertations, conducted 1.15 approved research projects, and had 3.4 presentations in domestic and 0.36 presentations in international conferences. Lack of time was the main problem in conducting research.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; text-align: left; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">Comparing faculties with and without research experience, there was significant differences in regard of access to research facilities (p</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; text-align: left; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">the level of research knowledge (pmotivations, job satisfaction, departmental cooperation, and expecting benefits from conducting</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; text-align: left; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">research.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; text-align: left; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">Conclusion: </span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">According to the faculties’ views, intra-organizational problems are less important than personal factors in performing research projects; i.e. the main obstacles for research were lack of time, and lack of competence in research methodology and problem-finding. Intra-organizational factors such as delay in project approval and lack of knowledge about research priorities are classified in the next levels.</span></p><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">Keywords</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">: F</span><span style="font-size: 6.5pt; font-family: Arial;">ACULTY MEMBERS</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">, R</span><span style="font-size: 6.5pt; font-family: Arial;">ESEARCH PROBLEMS</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">, I</span><span style="font-size: 6.5pt; font-family: Arial;">NTRA</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: Arial;">-</span><span style="font-family: Arial;" lang="FA">ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>