Barriers to Research: the Viewpoint of Faculty Members of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences

After human resource training, research considers as one of the pillars of cultural, social and economic development and university is the main basis of research system. Now, there is a great gap between the scientific products of Iran and many other countries in the world. Thus, we attempted to investigate research barriers from the viewpoint of faculty members of medical and paramedical schools of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. This descriptive-cross sectional study carried out by using a questionnaire in 2007. Validity of questionnaire was tested by content validity method and its reliability was evaluated by test-retest method. The questionnaire was given directly to all faculty members (n = 137) and finally, 83 persons answered. Data were analyzed by Excel software and descriptive statistics. The majority of faculty members (36.8%) implied that personal factors, as research barriers, are ineffective and from their viewpoint other factors of research barriers that have had high level influence was as following: 31.5% organizational factors, 27.7% economical factors, 25.8% supplies factors and 22.5% social factors. Considering the results of present study and the importance of research in the development of a country, research authorities should pay attention to the following items for eliminating the barriers of research: reform the process of investigation and approval of research projects and articles’, providing research facilities and possibilities, reduction of teaching hours and support team researches.