An Insight Into Research Ethics among Dental Professionals in A Dental Institute, India- A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Research activities are increasing in all the fields of medicine including dentistry but there is dearth of information about the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of dental professionals for ethical principles in research, especially in the developing countries like India.

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and behaviour among dental professionals pertaining to research ethics.

Materials and methods: A self-administered, close ended questionnaire survey with cross-sectional design was conducted in a private dental institute in India. All the house-surgeons, post-graduate students and the faculty of the same institute were included for the assessment of the knowledge, attitude and behaviour regarding research ethics using a 24, 8 and 8 items.

Results: A total of 213 of 230 dental professionals participated (response rate of 92.6%). Mean knowledge, attitude and behaviour scores were 43.3%, 82.5% and 46.37%, respectively. Significant correlations were observed of age and gender with the attitude about the research ethics among study subjects (χ(2)=14.383, p=0.006 and χ(2)=7.769, p=0.021, respectively).

Conclusion: Participants had favorable attitude towards research ethics, but their knowledge and behaviour needs considerable improvements. The age and gender were associated with attitude. The present pilot study highlights the need for further nationwide study and development of research ethics curriculum in detail for dental education in India.

Keywords: Awareness; Dentists; Ethical research.