Perceptions of postgraduate students at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, school of medicine towards research publication

Abstract

Introduction: The number of research papers produced and published from Makerere University is still very low for a university that is seeking to increase its investment in research. The culture of writing should become familiar, and university is the place to create a new culture of writing. Research is obligatory for postgraduate students but publication still low at the school of medicine, Makerere University. There is need to understand why publication remains low at Makerere University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine. Study objectives: The study aimed at establishing the perceptions of postgraduate students from College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine towards research publication. Specifically, we set out to: (i) To explore the perceptions of postgraduate students at the College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Makerere University towards research publication and (ii) To explore the barriers and facilitators to research publication among post graduate students in College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Makerere University. Methods: The study employed an exploratory qualitative design. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants who were postgraduate students from the College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Makerere University. Data was collected using in-depth interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and themes generated to draw meanings. A thematic-data analysis approach was utilized with consideration of inductive analysis. Results: Interviews from the 19 respondents (7 females and 12 males) who participated in the study was analysed. Three themes emerged including: 1: Relevance of submission of articles for publication, 2: Perceptions about the practices involved in making publications: and 3: Facilitating remarks for making publications. The study findings revealed different perceptions on relevance of submission of articles for publication detailing that publication was still low but at least three types of publications had been made so far including an original paper, an abstract, and case reports. The facilitating factors including generation of new ideas and benefits for the medicine industry. Among the barriers were the students’ lack of interest to publish research findings and perceived time consuming and inadequate skills in proposal and manuscript writing skills. Conclusion: This study highlights positive perceptions towards research publication among postgraduate students. Generating new knowledge motivated students to publish while time constraints and inadequate mentorship and manuscript writing skills deterred publication. Key Words: Perceptions, research publication, postgraduate students