title: Research in clinical laboratory science: professionals' educational preparation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the educational preparation of CLS professionals for conducting research.
  
  
  METHODS
  A link to 3-part online survey was sent by electronic mail to 7,572 members of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and 500 program directors research project. Barriers to participation in research by undergraduates include time limitations within the curriculum, insufficient faculty time, and lack of funds, space, and equipment. Increased emphasis on developing research skills is found in educational programs at the master's degree level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The formal educational background of many CLS professionals may leave them unprepared or underprepared for conducting research. Although there was broad representation among participants across educational levels, employment settings, and job positions, the number of survey respondents was limited. Possible directions for future research include conducting this survey using members of additional professional organizations.
authors.affiliation: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7145, USA. rebecca_laudicina@med.unc.edu
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laudicina
authors.forename: JoAnn P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fenn
authors.forename: Vickie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McCoy
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McLane
authors.forename: Lillian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mundt
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Polancic
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Randolph
authors.forename: Kristy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shanahan
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D034742:Electronic Mail; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*