Evaluation of Medical Sciences Students’ Perception, Barriers, and Attitude toward Scientific Research: A Cross-sectional Study in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Aim: Medical research skills at the undergraduate level is increasingly discussed as having a potential role in
developing certain skills in students including decision making, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Therefore,
this study aimed to evaluate the perception, barriers, and attitude of medical sciences students toward scientific
research in Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The data collected between August and September 2019
using an electronic questionnaire that was distributed to medical sciences students at Makkah region including
(4th, 5th, 6th years, and interns). Results: Total number of participants who answered the questionnaire was 411
health-care students. Most of the students were females (70.6%), only 29.4% of them were male students. Most
of them (72.8%) agreed that scientific research is essential for undergraduate students and about 73.2% of them
said that they will participate in any available research opportunity. About 70.3% of the respondents reported that
they do not know whom to contact if they want to conduct research and about 61.6% of the respondents reported
there were few opportunities to do research in their college. Conclusion: Although students have good attitude
and good perception toward research, there are some barriers that should be overcome to encourage student
participation in research activities in Makkah region’s universities of Saudi Arabia.