Research preferences among medical academics

Abstract

Research culture is one of the critical issues of academic staff development. The purpose of this study is to conceptualize the preferences about research among medical academics in an Iranian medical university. Unfortunately, among medical academics, the consideration on research culture is little through the lenses of research preferences research culture. In this study, one of the main aspects of research culture denominates as research preferences. Methodologically, qualitative study from 2012-2014 in an Iranian medical university reveals the different aspects of research preferences. Twenty-two academics participated as the key informants to reflect the different aspects of research preferences. The findings of this study reveal that research preferences were configured by core phenomenon of financial preferences with three secondary level dimensions. These dimensions that relating to the financial preferences were: physiological, safety, and esteem criteria. Consequently, recognizing and leading the preferences about research are essential to improve research culture to develop academics in their research.