Research capacity of the chiropractic colleges: Faculties' attitudes

THERE IS A GROWING NEED for research to further the goals of the chiropractic profession, The chiropractic colleges and their faculty are in the best position to accomplish much of the profession's research needs. The purpose of this study was to investigate faculty attitudes regarding research-related activities, including time, interest, training, and availability of resources. The survey was administered to collect data in a cross-sectional design. Data were collected through a survey administered to all full-time chiropractic college faculty working in the United States and Canada. Completed forms were received from 673 (69.2%) respondents. Respondents indicated that their supervisors and institutions emphasize teaching and place less emphasis on research and publications. They also feel that computerized literature databases and faculty co-investigators are available resources to conduct research and that time, mentorship, and project funding are less available, The results of this survey have identified encouragement of supervisors and time as the likely starting points for future cohort investigations aimed at increasing research productivity throughout a faculty member's career.