Chiropractic Students and Research: Assessing the Research Culture at a North American Chiropractic College

Abstract

of Chiropractic FloridaPurpose: To continue positive professional growth and boost research endeavors, chiropractic institutions need to develop a research-oriented foundation and produce a larger body of researchers. The purpose of this study was to provide a current analysis of the research culture among students at Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida. This study will gain insight toward the research contributions of the next generation of chiropractors and identify the difficulties toward participation. This will help modify current academic programs to better foster research and ensure a promising, credible future for the chiropractic profession. Methods: Participants were students at Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida enrolled in quarters 1 through 12 during the 2008 summer term. To evaluate the research culture, participants were asked to complete a 33-item web-based survey. Results: A total of 303 students completed the survey. Forty-four percent were female, and the mean age was 26 (SD D 4.2). Ninety-nine percent of respondents agreed that research was necessary for positive growth within the chiropractic profession. A majority of students reported having research experience, and 58% planned to participate in research activities prior to graduation. Technical writing was reported as the most challenging aspect of research, and heavy academic workload was reported as the greatest deterrent to participation. Conclusion: This study expresses possibilities for building a strong research culture at the college. Students were aware of the necessity for research and were openly interested in conducting research. Modification of current academic policies will allow for greater student research opportunities and the development of tomorrow's researchers. (J Chiropr Educ 2010;24(1):35-45)

Undergraduate pharmacy students’ perceptions of research in general and attitudes towards pharmacy practice research

“…Numerous studies investigating students' attitudes towards research have been published in the medical, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic and other allied health occupational literature. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] Although pharmacy students' attitudes towards postgraduate research have been investigated in the past, these early studies were conducted at a time when postgraduate education mainly involved laboratory-based research in pharmaceutics, pharmacology or medicinal chemistry. [33][34][35][36] To date, no published study has investigated the attitudes of pharmacy students towards PPR at each stage of the undergraduate programme.…”

A cross-sectional study of chiropractic students' research readiness using the Academic Self-Concept Analysis Scale

“…Only 51% felt that they had the skills to conduct good research, a self-determined assessment that the authors felt was possibly inflated and perhaps could be explained by a ''disconnect in their understanding of research skills and quality research''. 17 Extracurricular activities and current employment were associated with higher ratings in all 4 domains across the student sample. This is a correlation, not a cause-and-effect relationship, and it would be conjecture to assume whether having these extra interests improves the outcome or whether the type of student who would have extra interests would also perhaps score better in the outcome domains.…”

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Studies on chiropractic students' attitudes specifically have also been done. For example, Newell and Cunliffe 19 conducted such a study on undergraduate students at McTimoney Chiropractic College and found that 64% of their 119 student respondents found research interesting, 54% thought it was difficult, and 75% considered chiropractic research to be necessary.…”

Perception towards research among undergraduate physical therapy students

“…Few of the students believed that scientific research exploring the cost versus benefits ratio of physiotherapy treatment is necessary for positive growth in the physiotherapy profession. Weber 20 reported that students who replied ninety nine percent established that research was essential for positive development. 58% intended to involve in research programs proceeding to graduation, a group of participants had research experience.…”