• Kiran Ejaz, Muhammad Shahid Shamim, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, and Syed Abid Hussain.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi.
• J Pak Med Assoc. 2011 Feb 1;61(2):115-20.

ObjectiveTo study the involvement in research, of final year medical students and fresh graduates of Karachi, Pakistan and to identify the factors influencing their interest in medical research.MethodsA cross-sectional, questionnaire based study was conducted in 2007-2008. Five institutes representing the private and public hospitals in the city were selected by cluster sampling. Final year medical students and fresh graduates were included. Descriptive statistics were charted using SPSS v.16 after double data entry.ResultsOut of 378, 186 (49%) participants had journal reading habits due to the requirement of their institution. Mostly, 157 (41%) undergraduates had already participated in a research project, however mostly in the field as data collectors or computer work. Institutional influence and speciality of interest was found to be statistically significant factors related to a respondent's interest or involvement in research. (chi2 =9.970, p-value = 0.007).ConclusionThere is keen interest and involvement in research, among final year medical students and fresh graduates of Karachi, Pakistan. However, the factors driving them are based on their university research encouragements and future plans.

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