Optometry students’ attitudes towards research at undergraduate level

Abstract

ResearchBackground. Universities worldwide are required to increase their levels of research productivity.Objective. To bring about positive changes in research perspectives if the factors contributing to the attitude of undergraduate optometry students can be identified, enhanced and rectified. Methods. Three nominal group technique (NGT) discussions were conducted with 22 final-year (4th-year) optometry students in central South Africa (SA) to reach consensus on the most important factors that students regarded as influencing their undergraduate research experiences. Data gathering and analysis took place simultaneously, while participants prioritised the data. Data were analysed by in vivo coding, and categories were grouped according to themes that emerged from the codes. Results. Ranking and content analysis of coded statements yielded positive and negative categories, as well as categories with mixed codes. The major factor influencing students' attitudes towards research was administration and the time-consuming nature of their research projects. Recommendations for more effective administration are given. Conclusions. It was concluded that active steps should be taken by the Department of Optometry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, SA, to alter and minimise negative aspects encountered by the students, which could assist future students' experiences of research at undergraduate level.This open-access article is distributed under Creative Commons licence CC-BY-NC 4.0.

Actitudes hacia la ciencia y la investigación en miembros de instituciones de educación superior de Bogotá: diferencias por variables demográficas y de rol académico

“…Se entiende entonces que una actitud positiva hacia la investigación sea un requisito para una buena formación académica y para ampliar las comunidades académicas y científicas (Rojas, Méndez y Rodríguez, 2012). Ello implica que, si se logra identificar los factores que influencian las actitudes de los estudiantes de pregrado hacia la ciencia y la investigación, es posible desarrollar en ellos una actitud más positiva, que modifica los aspectos negativos y positivos en su educación (Coetzee y Kruger, 2018), lo que puede llevar a que existan más profesionales que realicen investigación y produzcan conocimiento científico.…”

Reflecting on our society?

“…In contrast, the second study that involved students sought to determine optometry students' attitudes towards research. Coetzee and Kruger [2] report that, while students recognised several benefits to undertaking research, the time-consuming nature of conducting research and the administrative processes associated with obtaining ethical approval were viewed negatively. These findings reflect the reality of conducting research.…”