Assessing research self-efficacy and attitudes among medical students: a quasi-experimental study evaluating the impact of a structured training program
Abstract Background Exposure of medical students to research improves their scientific output and future involvement in research. This is particularly important for Africa, where, despite the high disease burden, the continent contributes only 2% of the global research output. An important approach...
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2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07451-w |
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| author | Adebayo Falola Toluwase Oluwajomiloju Ogundipe Jonas Paul Ibekwe Daniel Esanju Chukwuebuka Asogwa Balgees Altayib Ketra Venesa Nandera Boluwatife David Elusiyan Chijioke David Mgbeobukwa Miracle Ifeoluwani Abraham Jolly Akor Thomas Afeezah Wojuade Edward Ephraim Baka Akinrayo Olufunbi Oyedele Wahida Hamad Ali Grace Oluwadarasimi Adebesin Pezo Norah Kachaka Marvellous Adelaja Felicia Ojo Ademola Obakayode |
| author_facet | Adebayo Falola Toluwase Oluwajomiloju Ogundipe Jonas Paul Ibekwe Daniel Esanju Chukwuebuka Asogwa Balgees Altayib Ketra Venesa Nandera Boluwatife David Elusiyan Chijioke David Mgbeobukwa Miracle Ifeoluwani Abraham Jolly Akor Thomas Afeezah Wojuade Edward Ephraim Baka Akinrayo Olufunbi Oyedele Wahida Hamad Ali Grace Oluwadarasimi Adebesin Pezo Norah Kachaka Marvellous Adelaja Felicia Ojo Ademola Obakayode |
| author_sort | Adebayo Falola |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Exposure of medical students to research improves their scientific output and future involvement in research. This is particularly important for Africa, where, despite the high disease burden, the continent contributes only 2% of the global research output. An important approach to address this is early introduction of students to research. This study aims to assess the effects of a training organized by the Federation of African Medical Students’ Associations, on self-efficacy and attitudes of medical students to research. Methods A pre- and post-training cross-sectional survey of medical students who participated in the research training was conducted. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Data was collected using pre-tested self-administered questionnaires, and was descriptively analyzed. The Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory-12 scale was used to investigate self-efficacy, and the Attitudes Towards Research scale was used to assess attitudinal changes. Mann–Whitney U test, and Independent Samples t-test were used to compare pre- and post- intervention scores. Results A total of 223 students from eleven African countries who registered for the training were enrolled. However, 152 completed the intervention. Age range was 15–40, with peak age being 21–25. Male to female ratio was 1:1.1. Majority (67%) of the participants were from Nigeria, and in their fourth year (27%). The scores of all six self-efficacy factors increased after the intervention with statistical significance. These included designing and collecting (27.3% to 57.0% p < 0.001); reporting, interpreting, and presenting (28.4% to 60.3% p < 0.001); conceptualizing and collaborating (32.7% to 63.2% p < 0.001); planning (31.8% to 60.7% p < 0.001); funding (21.3% to 53.7% p < 0.001); protecting (33.6% to 65.7% p < 0.001). Positive attitudes towards research increased significantly after the intervention with a mean score of 74.6% to 81.0% (p = 0.001), while negative attitudes decreased (48.9% to 42.9% p = 0.003). Conclusion Structured research training improves the self-efficacy and attitudes of students towards research, and thus should be incorporated into curricula. There is a need for longitudinal studies to further establish the long-term effects of early exposure of medical students to research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6b113202b3434ed79a7d8e760f0aecf4 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-6b113202b3434ed79a7d8e760f0aecf42025-08-20T03:03:28ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-07-0125111110.1186/s12909-025-07451-wAssessing research self-efficacy and attitudes among medical students: a quasi-experimental study evaluating the impact of a structured training programAdebayo Falola0Toluwase Oluwajomiloju Ogundipe1Jonas Paul Ibekwe2Daniel Esanju3Chukwuebuka Asogwa4Balgees Altayib5Ketra Venesa Nandera6Boluwatife David Elusiyan7Chijioke David Mgbeobukwa8Miracle Ifeoluwani Abraham9Jolly Akor Thomas10Afeezah Wojuade11Edward Ephraim Baka12Akinrayo Olufunbi Oyedele13Wahida Hamad Ali14Grace Oluwadarasimi Adebesin15Pezo Norah Kachaka16Marvellous Adelaja17Felicia Ojo18Ademola Obakayode19Federation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanFederation of African Medical Students’ Associations Standing Committee on Medical Education and Research (FAMSA SCOMER), FAMSA Headquaters: College of Medicine, University of IbadanAbstract Background Exposure of medical students to research improves their scientific output and future involvement in research. This is particularly important for Africa, where, despite the high disease burden, the continent contributes only 2% of the global research output. An important approach to address this is early introduction of students to research. This study aims to assess the effects of a training organized by the Federation of African Medical Students’ Associations, on self-efficacy and attitudes of medical students to research. Methods A pre- and post-training cross-sectional survey of medical students who participated in the research training was conducted. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Data was collected using pre-tested self-administered questionnaires, and was descriptively analyzed. The Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory-12 scale was used to investigate self-efficacy, and the Attitudes Towards Research scale was used to assess attitudinal changes. Mann–Whitney U test, and Independent Samples t-test were used to compare pre- and post- intervention scores. Results A total of 223 students from eleven African countries who registered for the training were enrolled. However, 152 completed the intervention. Age range was 15–40, with peak age being 21–25. Male to female ratio was 1:1.1. Majority (67%) of the participants were from Nigeria, and in their fourth year (27%). The scores of all six self-efficacy factors increased after the intervention with statistical significance. These included designing and collecting (27.3% to 57.0% p < 0.001); reporting, interpreting, and presenting (28.4% to 60.3% p < 0.001); conceptualizing and collaborating (32.7% to 63.2% p < 0.001); planning (31.8% to 60.7% p < 0.001); funding (21.3% to 53.7% p < 0.001); protecting (33.6% to 65.7% p < 0.001). Positive attitudes towards research increased significantly after the intervention with a mean score of 74.6% to 81.0% (p = 0.001), while negative attitudes decreased (48.9% to 42.9% p = 0.003). Conclusion Structured research training improves the self-efficacy and attitudes of students towards research, and thus should be incorporated into curricula. There is a need for longitudinal studies to further establish the long-term effects of early exposure of medical students to research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07451-wResearch trainingMedical educationAfrica |
| spellingShingle | Adebayo Falola Toluwase Oluwajomiloju Ogundipe Jonas Paul Ibekwe Daniel Esanju Chukwuebuka Asogwa Balgees Altayib Ketra Venesa Nandera Boluwatife David Elusiyan Chijioke David Mgbeobukwa Miracle Ifeoluwani Abraham Jolly Akor Thomas Afeezah Wojuade Edward Ephraim Baka Akinrayo Olufunbi Oyedele Wahida Hamad Ali Grace Oluwadarasimi Adebesin Pezo Norah Kachaka Marvellous Adelaja Felicia Ojo Ademola Obakayode Assessing research self-efficacy and attitudes among medical students: a quasi-experimental study evaluating the impact of a structured training program BMC Medical Education Research training Medical education Africa |
| title | Assessing research self-efficacy and attitudes among medical students: a quasi-experimental study evaluating the impact of a structured training program |
| title_full | Assessing research self-efficacy and attitudes among medical students: a quasi-experimental study evaluating the impact of a structured training program |
| title_fullStr | Assessing research self-efficacy and attitudes among medical students: a quasi-experimental study evaluating the impact of a structured training program |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing research self-efficacy and attitudes among medical students: a quasi-experimental study evaluating the impact of a structured training program |
| title_short | Assessing research self-efficacy and attitudes among medical students: a quasi-experimental study evaluating the impact of a structured training program |
| title_sort | assessing research self efficacy and attitudes among medical students a quasi experimental study evaluating the impact of a structured training program |
| topic | Research training Medical education Africa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07451-w |
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