Barriers to Research in Allied Health

In 1980, the National Commission on Allied Health Education recommended a needs assessment be done to determine the barriers to research in allied health faculty. This study presents the results of a survey of such faculty members conducted by selecting a random national sample of faculty members in 16 schools of allied health, and soliciting the anonymously reported perceived research barriers from the faculty members. Research barriers in eight major categories were identified. Categories with the largest number of faculty members reporting that the needs were major barriers to research activity were: additional personnel, research philosophy, funds, in-service education, information, and space. Results emphasized the fact that allied health faculty have time already heavily committed to clinical and teaching responsibilities, and that more time for research was desired than was presently available.