Naslov
Teaching research methodology in medical schools: students' attitudes towards and knowledge about science

Autori
Hren, Darko ; Lukić, I.K. ; Marušić, Ana ; Vodopivec, Ivana ; Vujaklija, Ana ; Hrabak, Maja ; Marušić, Matko

Izvornik
Medical Education (0308-0110) 38 (2004), 1; 81-86

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
education; medical undergraduate; methods; science; curriculum; research methodology

Sažetak
Objective To explore the relationship between teaching scientific methodology in Year 2 of the medical curriculum and student attitudes towards and knowledge about science and scientific methodology. Design Anonymous questionnaire survey developed for this purpose. Setting Zagreb University School of Medicine, Croatia. Participants A total of 932 students (response rate 58%) from all 6 years were invited to participate. Main Outcome Measures Score on attitude scale with 45 Likert-type statements and score on knowledge test consisting of 8 multiple choice questions. Results The average attitude score for all students was 166+/-22 out of a maximum of 225, indicating a positive attitude towards science and scientific research. The students' average score on the knowledge test was 3.2+/-1.7 on 8 questions. Students who had finished Year 2 had the highest mean attitude (173+/-24) and knowledge (4.7+/-1.7) scores compared with other year groups (P<0.001, ANOVA and Tukey posthoc test). For students who had attended a mandatory Year 2 course on the principles of scientific research in medicine (Years 3 to 6), multiple linear regression analysis showed that knowledge test score (B=3.4 ; SE=0.4 ; 95% confidence interval 2.5-4.2 ; P<0.001) and average grades (B=7.6 ; SE = 1.5 ; 95% CI 4.6-10.6 ; P<0.001) were significant predictors of attitude towards science, but not sex or failure to pass a year (B=-0.6 ; SE=1.7 ; 95% CI-3.9-2.6 ; P=0.707 ; and B=-3.1 ; SE=1.9 ; 95% CI-6.8-5.7 ; P=0.097, respectively). Conclusion Medical students have generally positive attitudes towards science and scientific research in medicine. Attendance of a course on research methodology is related to a positive attitude towards science.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

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