Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitudes about Research Ethics among Dental Faculty in the Middle East: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective. To assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of dental faculty regarding research ethics and research ethics committees (RECs). Design. Through convenience sampling, we distributed a survey to academics at dental faculties at two universities in the Middle East. We used descriptive, chi-square, and logistic regression statistics to analyze the data. Results. Our response rate was 62.5%. A large majority (>90%) held positive attitudes towards RECs; however, almost half (44.0%) thought that RECs would delay research. Less than half (36.8%) had received prior training in research ethics, and the average score they achieved on the questions on research ethics was only 40.2%. Most (>90%), however, were favorable towards research ethics education. Finally, some faculty held attitudes regarding certain research ethics practices that were not optimal. Conclusions. We conclude that among the dental faculties participating in our study, there is broad-based acceptance of RECs and training in research ethics, while there are knowledge gaps in research ethics. We recommend further studies to determine the generalizability of our findings to other institutions.

Ethics Workshops-Are They Effective in Improving the Competencies of Faculty and Postgraduates?

“…This points to the fact that though faculty have some prior research experience either by doing projects or guiding students their skill levels in the above mentioned areas were deficient. A similar finding was observed in a study by ElDessouky et al, among faculty in Saudi Arabia [11].…”

“…Short training programs in ethics have been shown effective in various studies at different contexts [6,7,11]. Our findings also support this and found that the short training programs are effective.…”

Knowledge, attitude and practice of research ethics among medical faculty in a teaching hospital

“…68% thought that RECs would delay research and would make research harder to perform in contrast to study by El-Dessouky HF et al were 44% thought that RECs would delay research and in study conducted by Kiran Kumar Mallela et al 20% had opinion that ethical committees would unnecessarily delay research. 5,10 A large majority of the respondents (greater than 90%) were in favour of research ethics education for postgraduates, investigators, and members of RECs, this was similar to previous studies. 5,10 90% believed that ethical review is only necessary for international collaborative research, in study by ElDessouky HF et al <20% believed that ethical review is only necessary for international collaborative research.…”

“…5,10 A large majority of the respondents (greater than 90%) were in favour of research ethics education for postgraduates, investigators, and members of RECs, this was similar to previous studies. 5,10 90% believed that ethical review is only necessary for international collaborative research, in study by ElDessouky HF et al <20% believed that ethical review is only necessary for international collaborative research.…”

“…96% respondents thought it is okay to fabricate data to improve the outcome of the research if such an act did not cause harms to patients. Slightly more than 10% respondents thought it is okay to fabricate data to improve the outcome of the research if such an act did not cause harms to patients in study by ElDessouky HF et al 5 In previous study approximately 2% of respondents were willing to fabricate data. 6,7 84% responded that there is no need to obtain research informed consent for blood samples obtained for clinical tests similar results was seen in previous study.…”