Surveying the level of the research anxiety and identifying its related factors in PhD students at Iran University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Aim: Regarding the necessity of research in the scientific community and issues arising from it; researchers have been subjected to stress which is called Research Anxiety. In this regard, present study attempts to survey the level of research anxiety and its related factors among Ph.D. students at Iran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: questionnaires were employed for this applied research. The statistical population of the study consisted of Ph.D. students at Iran University of Medical Sciences where 248 people were selected by simple sampling method. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by the professors. By calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, a figure of 0.875 was obtained, which shows the high reliability of the instrument. Data were analyzed based on K-S test, T test and p and rs correlation coefficient, using SPSS software version 20. Results: The findings indicate that the mean of anxiety in the research community is 3.19 which is more than average. Factors such as Internet and computer skills, library usage and English language proficiency have a decreasing effect on the research anxiety. However, the "feeling of being in a competitive environment" factor increases the student's research anxiety. Conclusion: According to the results, PhD students of Iran University of Medical Sciences feel anxious in conducting research activities. Research directors and librarians of this university need to pay attention to its causes and consider the plans and strategies (such as research projects, information literacy courses, etc.) to control students' research anxiety.