Knowledge and attitudes about science and scientific research amongst medical students of Trakya University Medical Faculty

Abstract 

 Background: Training about scientific and health research is an important part of medical education. This study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes toward science and scientific research in medical students of Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne-Turkey.

 Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among medical students of Trakya University. Eight hundred thirty student were attend at the medical faculty begining of the study. We required a sample size of 290 subjects to fulfill the objectives of our study at a 95% confidence level. This sample size was calculated assuming a 50% prevalence of good knowledge and attitude, 5% bond-on error, and 10% non-response rate. The students were randomly chosen according to the probability of proportionate sizes of the classes – stratified random sampling. The structured questionnaire was applied to the participants by interviewing face to face. Knowledge and attitudes were recorded on a scale.

 Results: Mean scores of students were 2.5 ± 1.1 on knowledge scale and 60.2 ± 7.5 on attitude scale. Knowledge score about science and scientific research decreased with increasing years of education in medical faculty particularly in sixth year at medical while positive attitudes towards science and scientific research improved significantly with increasing years of education.

 Conclusion: Medical students in Trakya University are not familiar with basic knowledge about science and scientific research, but they have positive attitude towards science and scientific research. The only factor associated with more positive attitude towards science is year at medical school.

Key words: medical education, medical students, scientific research, knowledge, attitude.