Female second-year undergraduate medical students’ attitudes towards research at the College of Medicine, Alfaisal University: a Saudi Arabian perspective

Training in scientific research is essential to undergraduate medical education

0 (0)

1 (1.6)

16 (26.2)

26 (42.6)

18 (29.5)

4.0 ± 0.8

4.3 ± 0.7

3.9 ± 0.8

0.09

Training in scientific research must be a mandatory component of undergraduate medical education

3 (4.9)

9 (14.8)

22 (36.1)

20 (32.8)

7 (11.5)

3.3 ± 1

3.5 ± 1.0

3.2 ± 1.0

0.28

Scientific research knowledge and skills are relevant in clinical practice regardless of healthcare specialty

0 (0)

2 (3.3)

13 (21.3)

27 (44.3)

19 (31.1)

4.0 ± 0.8

4.2 ± 0.8

4.0 ± 0.8

0.24

I will be involved in scientific research because of an interest in a scientific discipline

0 (0)

6 (9.8)

26 (42.6)

25 (41.0)

4 (6.6)

3.4 ± 0.8

3.5 ± 0.8

3.4 ± 0.8

0.72

I will be involved in scientific research to facilitate entry to residency/fellowship medical programmes

0 (0)

3 (4.9)

13 (21.3)

29 (47.5)

16 (26.2)

4.0 ± 0.8

3.8 ± 1.0

4.0 ± 0.7

0.67

My adequate possession of research knowledge and skills promote participation in future research activities

3 (4.9)

9 (14.8)

32 (52.5)

14 (23.0)

3 (4.9)

3.1 ± 0.8

3.4 ± 1.2

2.9 ± 0.6

0.02^†

I will participate in scientific research activities throughout my undergraduate medical education

6 (9.8)

3 (4.9)

25 (41.0)

24 (39.3)

3 (4.9)

3.2 ± 0.8

3.7 ± 0.9

3.0 ± 1.0

0.00^†

I have no interest at all in scientific research

20 (32.8)

20 (32.8)

15 (24.6)

5 (8.2)

1 (1.6)

2.1 ± 1.0

1.6 ± 0.8

2.4 ± 1.1

0.01^†