Knowledge Attitude and Practice towards Participation in Multidisciplinary Research Team among Indian Female College Students
Abstract
Multidisciplinary research teams are widely recognized for their ability to address complex issues by transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries, offering innovative solutions to societal challenges, and contributing significantly to scientific advancement. However, the research process often presents challenges, including communication barriers, the need to foster collaboration among researchers, the resolution of research ideas, achieving consensus during problem-solving, and identifying comprehensive stakeholder networks. Despite these strengths and challenges, the integration of young researchers into academic multidisciplinary research teams remains limited due to prevailing performance standards and restricted exposure to opportunities. To address this issue and promote an inclusive academic environment, this study employs the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) model to examine and evaluate the fundamental prerequisites for establishing a multidisciplinary research team support center. This research represents an initial phase of action translation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 95 students from a rural women’s college in India. Findings indicate that, despite a considerable knowledge gap, students demonstrate a favorable disposition toward participating in multidisciplinary research teams. Existing foundations of multidisciplinary engagement in academic, sports, and co-curricular activities can be readily extended to encompass research initiatives and the development of a multidisciplinary research team support center.
