Knowledge and awareness among dental and life science students towards research: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes towards research and explore career interests among dental and life science students following their participation in an internship training program in bioresearch. The materials and methods involved a questionnaire-based survey conducted among CRI (Compulsory rotatory internship) dental students, postgraduate MDS students, and life science students who took part in the internship program organized by the Central Research Laboratory. Prior to the internship, participants were administered the questionnaire. The results revealed an overall research knowledge rate of 66% among participants, with CRI dental students demonstrating a higher rate at 72%. Additionally, 72% of the participants expressed positive views regarding research as a viable career option in their respective fields. This study primarily aimed to analyse research knowledge and attitudes among dental and life science students. Findings indicated a strong interest in research among students, highlighting the importance of targeted training in biomedicine and statistics. In conclusion, the study suggests that tailored training programs focusing on research methodology and statistics would be beneficial for medical and dental students entering the field.