Abstract
In the 21st сentury preparing a feasible project requires the appropriate competencies and experience. In this regard, educational institutions began to direct their efforts to the formation of research skills in students via the preparation of projects. In 2020 at the Medical University of Karaganda in the department of History of Kazakhstan and Social-Political Disciplines has been launched a new course Basics of Scientific Thinking. The aim of the course was to equip students with researcher skills through the preparation of research projects. Due to that this course has employed a novice approach, the aim of the study was to explore challenges faced by students while conducting their project works. This study employed a survey design, in particular, a cross-sectional survey. The survey consisted of open-ended questions. Therefore, the responses of 34 voluntary participants have been analyzed based on the constructivist grounded theory approach. The results of the study found that 47% of respondents faced challenges related to searching literature in the Kazakh language. Nevertheless, 68% of respondents positively indicated group work with their peers. Furthermore, 74% of students highlighted effectiveness of project-based learning. Key words: project design, constructive grounded theory, students, a medical university, experiences.