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Early undergraduate research experience at Makerere University Faculty of Medicine: a tool for promoting medical research
Abstract
Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving 424 graduate and undergraduate students of Makerere University Medical School on the traditional curriculum. A self administered questionnaire was used to capture reported details of individual research experiences.
Results: There were 424 student respondents, 88% of whom were undergraduates (372/424). About 41% (176/ 424) of these respondents reported having had a previous research experience. Among the postgraduates 74% (37/ 50) reported having had a previous research experience compared with 68% (139/342) of the undergraduates [OR=4.16, 2.07-8.57]. The sum of individual undergraduate experiences had the strongest positive correlation with the total number of studies done by an individual [R=0.801].
Conclusion: Early, guided undergraduate research experience can be used to promote research within the Faculty of Medicine Makerere University.
Keywords: research, medical, students, Makerere
African Health Sciences Vol. 6(3) 2006: 182-186