This is an early access version
Department of Pathology, University Clinical Centre Tuzla , Tuzla , Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Department of Infectious Diseases, Cantonal Hospital Zenica , Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Clinical Research, The Francis Crick Institute , London , United Kingdom
International Patient Service Department, Medipol Mega University Hospital Istanbul , Istanbul , Turkey
Faculty of Dentistry with Clinics, University of Sarajevo , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Aim The position of science and scientific research in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is unfavourable. University education lacks research programs, hindering students from developing critical evaluation skills.
Methods This cross-sectional study examined knowledge, attitudes, experience and perceived barriers towards scientific research among biomedical students and recent graduates at the University of Sarajevo in B&H. A self-reporting questionnaire was distributed via social networks and among students from all years of the Medical, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical faculties, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Science, as well as recent graduates.
Results The survey was completed by 243 participants. The mean knowledge score of 4.3/11 was noticed; 216 (96%) believed research was necessary for healthcare improvement. Although 147 participants (65.3%) attended courses on research methodology, only 63 (28%) engaged in scientific research at their faculties. Only 5 (8.5%) employed graduates participated in research at their jobs. Almost half, 99 (44%) participants consulted scientific papers only upon recommendation. The majority of participants, 199 (82.2%), reported they experienced barriers to conducting research in B&H.
Conclusion Biomedical students and graduates demonstrated limited research knowledge, but had positive attitudes and acknowledged significant barriers. Improved faculty curricula in research areas and more opportunities are needed.
Conceptualization, N.S., M.Š., B.K. and I.E.; Data curation, N.S. and B.K.; Formal Analysis, N.S. and B.K.; Investigation, N.S., M.Š., B.K., I.E. and B.S.Š.; Methodology, N.S., M.Š., B.K. and I.E.; Resources, N.S., M.Š., B.K. and I.E.; Software, N.S. and B.K.; Writing – original draft, N.S., M.Š. and B.K.; Project administration, M.Š.; Validation, B.K., B.S.Š. and A.K.Ć.; Supervision, A.K.Ć.; Writing – review & editing, A.K.Ć. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Authors received no specific funding for this work.
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