Abstract
Background
Medical research is crucial for developing skilled physicians and improving healthcare outcomes. There is a lack of data regarding the factors that influence medical students’ engagement in research, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the attitudes, experiences, and barriers related to research among medical students at the University of Dongola (Sudan).
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated self-administered questionnaire. A sample of 243 students from third to sixth year was selected through stratified systematic sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS v27, applying descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test.
Results
Among the participants, 67.1% were female, and 85.6% were aged 25 years or younger. Participants expressed overall positive attitudes toward research (3.849 ± 0.863). Specifically, 92.2% recognized its professional value, 95.0% saw its career benefits, and 90.1% supported its inclusion in the curriculum. Nonetheless, 69.5% found the research to be stressful, and 58.8% considered it burdensome. Overall research experience was limited (0.310 ± 0.438), only 42.8% had received training, 33.3% participated in research projects, and 16.9% had published or presented work. Perceived barriers to research engagement were high (3.679 ± 0.987). Major barriers included poor understanding of research methods (73.3%), lack of funding (66.1%), inadequate supervision (51.4%), limited database access (58.4%), and time constraints (56.3%). Significant associations were found between research experience and sex (
Conclusion
Participants are motivated to pursue research but face substantial barriers. Institutional efforts such as curriculum reform, financial support, and faculty development are essential to enhance student research engagement and career readiness.
Introduction
Research is crucial for improving healthcare and medicine, enabling advancements in disease surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Physicians’ medical knowledge and training should be up-to-date to provide effective therapy based on the best available evidence. This necessitates the contribution of physicians in research conduction to foster evidence generation. 1 Moreover, medical research significantly influences the professional identity of medical students by promoting curiosity, developing critical thinking skills, and improving clinical judgment. It also helps students understand healthcare concepts, empowering them to contribute to the progress of their field and strengthen their professional identity. Medical students’ identities evolve around professional inclusion and social exclusion, with professional inclusion relating to their roles as physicians and professorial exclusion based on their perception of other disciplines.2,3
Globally, medical schools emphasize the integration of research into their curricula to produce well-rounded, knowledgeable physicians. Engaging in research activities not only enhances students’ academic and professional profiles but also ignites a lifelong curiosity and commitment to medical science.4,5 Despite these benefits, the level of engagement and interest in research among medical students varies widely across different regions and educational systems according to studies conducted in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Sudan.4,6–8
In Sudan, the landscape of medical education presents unique challenges and opportunities for research engagement. Medical students at the University of Khartoum have demonstrated a keen research interest, yet they encounter significant barriers, including insufficient research training, limited funding, and a lack of supportive infrastructure.4,8 Moreover, cultural factors and educational policies play a critical role in shaping students’ attitudes and experiences towards research
At the University of Dongola, completing a research project is a compulsory prerequisite for graduation, and students must complete a research project under the supervision of an academic staff member to fulfill their degree requirements. However, this mandate is not currently supported by formal dedicated funding for undergraduate projects, and students face challenges related to limited laboratory facilities and resources. This mandatory status necessitates a clear understanding of the attitudes and barriers students face. Unfortunately, there is limited information available about medical students’ views and experiences toward research, as well as perceived obstacles that limit their active participation in research activities. Therefore, this study aims to explore attitudes, experiences, and barriers faced by undergraduate medical students at the University of Dongola regarding research activities. By addressing this gap, the research seeks to provide insights that could inform educational strategies and policy decisions to enhance research participation and support among Sudanese medical students.
Material and Methods
Study Design
A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess attitudes, experiences, and barriers faced by undergraduate medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Dongola. The reporting of this study conforms to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement for cross-sectional studies 9 (Supplementary file 1:STROBE Checklist).
Study Setting
The source population is medical students at the University of Dongola, located in Dongola city, the capital of the Northern State of Sudan. The Faculty of Medicine was established in 1997 and has successfully graduated 20 batches of medical students to date. At the time of the study, it had a total enrollment of approximately 890 students distributed across six academic levels (first year to sixth year). The Faculty of Medicine has recently undertaken significant steps to enhance its academic and research environment. In 2024, the faculty established an Educational Development Center (EDC) unit, which has since conducted several Faculty enhancement workshops and courses. The study was conducted from October 2024 to August 2025.
Study Participants
The study participants were undergraduate medical students at the University of Dongola.
Inclusion Criteria
The study included third- to sixth-year undergraduate medical students enrolled during the study period, from October 2024 to August 2025.
Exclusion Criteria
First- and second-year students were excluded due to their limited research exposure.
Sample Size and Sampling
Using the Raosoft sample size calculator, 10 with 95% confidence interval, 5% margin of error, and 50% response distribution. Based on the total size of the study population of 658 students (third year: 164 students, fourth year: 165 students, fifth year: 195 students, and sixth year: 139 students), the minimum sample size was 243 students.
To minimize bias, stratified and systematic probability sampling methods were utilized to recruit participants. Initially, the study population was divided into four strata according to the academic level. Then the number of participants selected from each stratum was determined by its relative size within the total population. Participants were selected from each stratum by a systematic random sampling using the student enrollment list as the sample frame (third year: 61 students, fourth year: 61 students, fifth year: 70 students, and sixth year: 51 students).
Data Sources
A self-administered, semistructured questionnaire was collected. This questionnaire was adapted from validated previous studies,4,7 and it assessed: demographics, research experiences, attitudes toward research, and perceived barriers. Demographic characteristics were composed of four questions, which were age, sex, academic year, and academic performance measured via self-reported Grade Point Average (GPA). The second section measured the attitude of the included students, which was composed of 15 Likert Scale items that were divided into nine positive questions (questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12) and six negative questions (questions 6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 15). Each question was assessed with five responses ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree, Positive questions were scored ranging from 1 for
Data were collected from participants via a web-based survey hosted on Google Forms. A unique Uniform Resource Locator (URL) was distributed individually to preselected participants using their provided contact information. This approach ensured confidentiality and allowed respondents to complete the survey at their convenience on personal devices. Finally, data were downloaded from “Google Drive” as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. All data were checked before exporting for analysis; no imputation was necessary because all data were complete. Sensitivity checks confirmed the results were not dependent on specific data subsets or assumptions.
Study Variables
Dependent variables: attitudes, experiences, and barriers.
Independent variables: age, sex, academic year, and academic performance measured via self-reported GPA.
Statistical Analysis
Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v.27. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, means) were applied to summarize data, while the Chi-square test was used to examine the association between independent and dependent variables;
Ethical Considerations
Ethical approval for the study proposal and research procedures was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee, Ministry of Health, Northern State, Dongola city (REC-MoH-NS-31-2024), and the study was conducted in agreement with the recommendations of the Declaration of Helsinki. Due to the web-based data collection method, electronic informed consent was obtained from all participants after being fully informed about the study title, investigators in the first section of the Google Form. Access to the questionnaire was restricted until participants formally selected the mandatory “I Agree to Participate” option. Participation in the study was entirely voluntary, and the participants had the option to withdraw at any time without penalty. Participants were not compensated, but they could potentially benefit from the study's findings. The privacy of participants and confidentiality of data were maintained to minimize bias.
Results
Demographic Characteristics of Participants
A total of 243 undergraduate medical students participated in the study (Response rate: 100%). The majority were aged 25 years or younger (85.6%), female (67.1%), and distributed across academic years as follows: third year (25.1%), fourth year (25.1%), fifth year (28.8%), and sixth year (21.0%). Regarding academic performance, the majority of participants reported a GPA categorized as “Good” (48.6%) or “Very Good” (33.7%). These data are presented in Table 1.
Demographic Characteristics of Participants (N = 243).
Attitudes of Participants Toward Research
Participants demonstrated a predominantly positive overall attitude toward research, with a composite mean score of 3.849 ± 0.863. As shown in Table 2, almost 92.2% of the participants agreed that research is valuable for their medical profession, 95.0% believed that research skills would benefit their future careers, 93.8% acknowledged its critical role in advancing scientific knowledge, and 90.1% supported integrating research training into the undergraduate medical curriculum. However, 69.5% found research stressful, 60.9% perceived it as complex, and 56.8% viewed it as an additional burden alongside their academic workload.
Attitudes of Participants Toward Research (N = 243).
Experiences of Participants in the Research
The findings revealed limited overall research experience among participants, with a composite mean score of 0.310 ± 0.438, and varying levels of engagement in research activities. Approximately 42.8% of students reported having received prior research training, while 33.3% indicated they had been involved in research projects. However, only 16.9% had successfully published their research, and an equal proportion (16.9%) had presented their work at conferences or symposiums. At the time of the study, nearly half of the students (44.9%) were actively engaged in research projects, demonstrating ongoing participation despite challenges. These data are presented in Table 3.
Previous Research Experience of Participants (N = 243).
Barriers to Participants in Research
The findings indicated a high level of perceived barriers to research engagement among participants, with a composite mean score of 3.679 ± 0.987. As shown in Table 4, the study identified several significant obstacles hindering student engagement in research. A substantial proportion of participants reported knowledge gaps, with 73.3% lacking understanding of how to conduct research and 73.6% unfamiliar with the publication process. Resource limitations further compounded these challenges, as 66.1% indicated insufficient funding as a major constraint. Additionally, students faced difficulties in mentorship and skill development, with 51.4% reporting inadequate professional supervision, 66.7% noting a lack of structured research training courses, and 67.1% lacking motivation to conduct research. Time management also emerged as a critical barrier, with 56.3% of respondents struggling to balance research activities with their academic workload.
Perceived Research Barriers among Participants (N = 243).
Association Between Participant Characteristics and Research Experience, Attitude, and Barriers
As shown in Table 5, data analysis revealed statistically significant associations between attitude and academic level (
Association of Participants’ Characteristics with Experience, Attitude, and Barriers.
Association of Attitude with Participant Experience and Barriers.
*Participants were categorized as “Yes” if they scored an average of >0.5 across the four research items.
**Participants were categorized as “Present” if they scored an average of ≥3 across the 12 Likert scale items.
Association Between Experience and Barriers.
Discussion
This study assessed the attitudes, experiences, and barriers toward research among undergraduate medical students at the University of Dongola.Sudan). This study achieved a 100% response rate, as all randomly selected participants submitted completed questionnaires. This reduces nonresponse bias and ensures the study findings reflect the attitudes and experiences of the study population. The high response rate is most likely attributed to the individualized recruitment strategy, and consistent follow-up with the pre-selected participants. Additionally, the positive research climate and research methodology workshops recently provided by the Educational Development Center (EDC) increased the perceived value of research participation, thereby facilitating a high level of responsiveness to academic surveys.
The findings revealed a predominantly positive attitude toward research among participants, evidenced by agreement of the majority of participants on research's career benefits and support for its integration into the curriculum. However, more than half of the participants perceived research as stressful and complex. This may be attributed to research being a mandatory graduation requirement in a limited resource environment at the University of Dongola. When research is a compulsory milestone integrated into an already demanding curriculum, rather than an elective interest, it is may be viewed as an academic hurdle. This contextual pressure explains the discrepancy found in our results: while students recognize the professional value of research, they simultaneously experience it as a significant psychological and academic burden. The findings of our study align with existing literature that generally reports positive attitudes toward research among medical students. A study conducted among Tanta University medical students in Egypt concluded positive attitudes toward research. 4 Similarly, a study in Jordan among medical school students at Al-Balqa Applied University, and a Study including seven medical colleges students in Iraq reported positive attitudes toward research among medical students.7,12
Regarding previous research experience, the present study revealed limited overall research experience. While a significant portion of participants reported receiving prior research training (42.8%) and some involvement in research projects (33.3%), the rate of successfully publishing or presenting their work was considerably lower (16.9%). This finding is in agreement with what was found in a similar study from Iraq, regarding participation rate, 12 and it differs from the studies conducted in Nigeria and Bangladesh, where participation rates were 52.9% and 21.5%, respectively.13,14 This difference may be attributed to differences in curriculum structure, institutional support, and research mentorship. Many studies noted Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curricula, structured research training programs, and mentorship as critical factors in research participation.4,7
In the present study, despite the positive attitudes toward research reported in this study, substantial perceived barriers to research engagement were reported. The main perceived research barriers were insufficient research knowledge and training, lack of funding, and lack of motivation. Our findings partially agree with those of studies conducted in Bangladesh 14 and Iraq, 12 where lack of funding, knowledge and training gaps, and lack of support were reported as top barriers. Knowledge and skills gaps prevent translation of interest into action; mandatory research training and effective mentorship could bridge the gap between a positive attitude toward research and low participation. In contemporary medical education, research competency is a fundamental goal, encompassing the practical abilities to design, execute, and assess research, alongside the crucial skill of applying evidence to clinical practice. It extends beyond basic methodological and analytical techniques, requiring additional attributes such as reflective judgment, ethical sensitivity, and a sense of professional responsibility, and it is regarded as essential for medical professionals to continuously question established practices, effectively integrate new evidence into patient treatment, and ultimately advance medical knowledge. 15 Incorporating research education into the undergraduate medical curriculum is recognized as a key element for developing competency, with research skills being specifically highlighted in the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) Guide No. 69. Furthermore, the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) advocates for embedding scientific inquiry and evidence-based practice throughout the entire course of medical training. 16
In our study, time constraints due to academic workload were mentioned as a major research barrier, which is in line with results of similar studies conducted in Iraq 11 and Nigeria. 13 By offering remote research options, institutions can bypass traditional time constraints; evidence suggests this approach not only boosts student engagement but also inspires more individuals to consider long-term research careers. 16 Elective online research opportunities offer feasible solutions for expanding access and participation, particularly in resource-limited settings like our case. 17 A study conducted among the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland recognized the engagement of medical students in research activities and recommended implementing targeted strategies to address challenges to optimize their research competency and professional growth. 18
In the present study, data analysis showed significant associations for attitude with academic level and performance, for experience with participant sex, academic level, and performance, and for barriers with academic year and performance. This finding contrasts with a study conducted among Tanta University medical students in Egypt, which reported no significant association between attitude and sex. However, that same study found an association between attitude and academic level, which aligns with our results. 4 Association between research attitude and experience with academic level could be attributed to the fact that medical students at Dongola University are exposed to research competence-related courses and training in the last years. Further research is necessary to thoroughly investigate the complex relationship between sex, attitude toward research, and research experience. This exploration is critical for identifying the underlying causes of existing gender disparities and designing targeted interventions that ensure all students, regardless of sex, receive equitable benefits and opportunities in medical education.
Limitations
While this study achieved a 100% response rate, which minimizes nonresponse bias and ensures a representative sample of the study population, there were some limitations. First, the cross-sectional design precludes direction of association or causal inference, requiring further analytical studies to predict direction and stability of these associations. Second, the single-institution sample limits generalizability to other medical schools in Sudan. Third, self-reported data may be subject to bias. Finally, while we identified barriers, we did not explore faculty perspectives or institutional policies, which could provide a more holistic view of the research ecosystem.
These findings underscore the necessity of integrating research training into undergraduate medical curricula. Specifically, medical schools should introduce mandatory research methodology modules early in the program while providing effective mentorship and accessible opportunities. Furthermore, institutions must address logistical barriers such as funding and database access, as these factors significantly influence engagement. Furthermore, longitudinal and analytical studies are recommended to track changes in student research engagement over time. Qualitative approaches could deepen understanding of student and faculty perspectives on research barriers and enablers.
Conclusion
While participants demonstrate a strongly positive attitude toward the professional value and curricular integration of research, their actual engagement remains low, hindered by institutional and individual barriers. The disparity between high perceived benefit and low publication/participation rates is driven primarily by lack of funding, poor methodological understanding, and resource limitations. Furthermore, the significant associations between research attitudes and experiences with demographic/academic factors suggest that interventions to improve supervision and training should be tailored to effectively bridge the gap between interest and productivity.
Supplemental Material
sj-docx-1-mde-10.1177_23821205261443396 - Supplemental material for Attitudes, Experiences, and Barriers Toward Research Among Undergraduate Medical Students at the University of Dongola, Sudan
Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-mde-10.1177_23821205261443396 for Attitudes, Experiences, and Barriers Toward Research Among Undergraduate Medical Students at the University of Dongola, Sudan by Ahmed H. Arbab, Fatima A. Fadul, Hajer Mohamed Elyas, Hind Taj Alser Hamid and Outhman Alsadiq in Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development
Supplemental Material
sj-pdf-2-mde-10.1177_23821205261443396 - Supplemental material for Attitudes, Experiences, and Barriers Toward Research Among Undergraduate Medical Students at the University of Dongola, Sudan
Supplemental material, sj-pdf-2-mde-10.1177_23821205261443396 for Attitudes, Experiences, and Barriers Toward Research Among Undergraduate Medical Students at the University of Dongola, Sudan by Ahmed H. Arbab, Fatima A. Fadul, Hajer Mohamed Elyas, Hind Taj Alser Hamid and Outhman Alsadiq in Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development
Footnotes
Acknowledgments
We would also like to thank the staff of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Dongola for providing administrative assistance. We also wish to recognize the continued support of the Faculty of Medicine's current Dean, Dr Kamal Abdullah Ali. We are grateful to all medical students who have contributed to this study.
Authors' Note
Ahmed H. Arbab and Fatima A. Fadul are currently affiliated with Educational Development Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Dongola, Dongola, Northern State, Sudan.
Author Contributions
Ahmed H. Arbab: supervision, conceptualization, methodology, writing, reviewing, and editing. Fatima A. Fadul: methodology, data curation, writing, reviewing, and editing. Hajer M. Elyas: conceptualization, methodology, data curation, writing. Hind T. Hamid: conceptualization, methodology, writing. Outhman A. Moukhtar: Software, data curation, statistical analysis. All authors reviewed and approved the manuscript before submission
Funding
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Supplemental Material
Supplemental material for this article is available online.
