Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceived Barriers towards Scientific Research among Undergraduate Health Sciences Students in the Central Province of Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Research training makes an important part of the present day health sciences curricula. Although a few research studies have been undertaken in gulf countries and Saudi Arabia about the knowledge and attitudes of health sciences students regarding research none has been reported from the central province of Saudi Arabia. Objective: The present study was conducted with the objectives of assessing the knowledge and attitudes of health sciences students in the universities of the central province of Saudi Arabia. The degree of involvement of students in research and the barriers to student’s research activities were also explored. Method: The study design was cross-sectional that involved 435 medical, dental and pharmacy students in eleven health sciences colleges of five randomly selected universities in the central province of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected using an anonymous self-administered and validated questionnaire that was slightly modified and pilot tested for the present study. Result: The study participants had a mean knowledge score of 4.6±1.7 out of a total of 10 and mean attitude score of 4.4 ±1.1 out of 6. The majority of students perceived shortage of time, lack of motivation and appreciation, and insufficient laboratory facilities the major barriers to the students’ research activities. Moreover, only 6.9% ever published a research paper. Conclusion: The attitudes of the health science students towards research were mostly positive, but they had a low level of knowledge about scientific research. The study highlighted certain perceived barriers to undergraduate research activities.