Research Preparedness, Competence, and Motivations Among Undergraduate Medical and Dental Students in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Competitive Research Fellowship Cohort

Background Research skill acquisition is critical for undergraduate medical and dental students, but deficiencies in knowledge and motivation persist in low-resource environments such as Nigeria. Self-perceived research competence, motivations, and preparedness among applicants to a highly competitive research fellowship were evaluated, and predictors of high competence were identified, to provide information for capacity-building. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional analysis of 237 anonymized applications from Years 2 to 6 medical and dental students of the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) to the Medix Frontiers Research Fellowship (January–February 2026) was performed. Demographics, previous research experience (yes, no), competence (8 Likert items from 1 to 5), motivation (5 Likert items from 1 to 5), and preparedness (eg, hours/week, willingness) were assessed. Calculated variables: competence_mean (mean competency scores), motivation_mean (mean motivation scores), high_competence (>3.5), high_motivation (≥4). Cronbach’s α was used to evaluate reliability. Descriptive statistics: Means ± SD, proportions (%). Bivariate: Non-parametric tests (non-normal distribution data), Chi-square/Fisher’s exact test, Pearson’s correlations. Multivariable: Logistic regression (Dependent: high_competence; Independent: previous experience, Medix member, age, sex, stage of training, hours/week, dependable internet); linear regression for continuous competence_mean. No data were lost to follow-up. Analyses in Python (Pandas, SciPy, Statsmodels). Results Mean age 21.98 years (SD 2.79); 51.1% female; 65.4% clinical stage. Previous experience low (25.7% projects, 30.0% fellowships, 13.5% authorship). Competence_mean 2.24 (SD 0.78; α=0.914); high_competence 7.2%. Motivation_mean 4.62 (SD 0.49; α=0.636); high_motivation 89.9%. Competence was significantly different by previous experience (p<0.001 all) but not by stage of training (p=0.473) or gender (p=0.095); motivation was not correlated with competence (r=−0.068, p=0.298). Logistic regression: previous fellowship (aOR 9.46, 95% CI 1.71–52.48, p = 0.010) and age (aOR 1.45/year, 95% CI 1.16–1.82, p=0.001) predicted high_competence; multicollinearity validated (VIF >5 among some). Linear model confirmed associations (R²=0.387). Near-universal willingness (99.6%), too poor for regression analysis. Conclusions High motivation is in stark contrast to low competence and is driven by prior exposure. Fellowships could focus on early learning to provide foundational experiences and inform curricula in resource-limited environments.