Experience of and Attitudes toward Research among Pharmaceutical Sciences and PharmD Students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate attitudes toward, experience of, and perceived barriers to conducting research among Pharmaceutical Sciences and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students in pharmacy colleges in Saudi Arabia. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using a validated questionnaire distributed electronically between July and August 2016 to a convenient sample of Pharmaceutical Sciences and PharmD students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic information, and perceptions, experience, and knowledge of conducting research. ResultsOf the 245 respondents, most (73.5%) agreed that research is important. Sixty percent agreed that conducting research should be mandatory for PharmD students. However, the majority disagreed that research experience should be a criterion for acceptance on a residency program. Of the PharmD students, 73.8% believed that research projects would improve their ability to work and think independently, whereas only 58% of Pharmaceutical Sciences students agreed (p = 0.03). More PharmD students than Pharmaceutical Sciences students believed that they would learn from research experience (65.2% vs. 40.7% [p = 0.00]) and publishing or presenting research work (61.6% vs. 39.5% [p = 0.26]). The students’ major motivations to perform research were that it is a mandatory requirement of the curriculum (43.7%), is a positive addition to one’s résumé (22.4%), and facilitates acceptance to a residency program (18.8%). Lack of time and training courses were the most commonly cited barriers to conducting research. Regarding knowledge about performing research, PharmD students had a slightly better average score than Pharmaceutical Sciences students (38.6 vs. 37.28 [p = 0.49]) in an objective assessment of knowledge. ConclusionOverall, PharmD and Pharmaceutical Sciences students share a positive perception of the importance of research. However, their general knowledge about conducting research is low; thus, more training on time management and research processes is recommended.