A Comparative Study of Factors Affecting Reluctance to Scientific Writing from The Viewpoints of Basic and Clinical Sciences Faculty Members in Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in 2006

Although activities carried out in Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in regard to publishing scientific articles are appreciable, they are not gratifying yet. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the factors affecting reluctance to scientific writing from the viewpoints of basic and clinical sciences faculty members in Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in 2006.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which was performed using census sampling method. The study population included all faculty members (n=260) of Hamedan University of Medical Sciences. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire consisting of two parts, asking about demographic data and measuring attitude. Questionnaires were distributed among all faculty members and finally the data driven from 228 gathered questionnaires was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistical methods.

Among the participants of this study, 102 persons (44.8 percent) were in basic sciences department and 126 persons (55.2 percent) in clinical sciences department. The primary factor affecting reluctance to scientific writing from the viewpoints of basic sciences group, was lack of proficiency in language skills with the mean score of 3.95±0.96 and from the viewpoints of clinical sciences members, it was due to extra occupation in educational affairs, teaching, and treatment with the mean score of 3.88±1.17.

The participants of this study believed that extra occupation in educational activities and lack of proficiency in language skills are the primary barriers to willingness for scientific writing.