A Cross-Sectional Survey on Physiotherapy Students’ Attitudes towards Research

Abstract

Background: Research plays an essential part in academic advancement of medical students. At student level research experience is highly associated with future career achievements. Objective: The study was aimed at determining physiotherapy students’ attitude towards research. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 2019 to November 2019. A sample of 308 undergraduate and postgraduate physical therapy students was recruited. The responses of participants were taken on self-administered questionnaires consisting of Attitude towards Research scale. Results: Most of the students reported a positive attitude towards research (n=56.2%). The participants reported overall higher mean scores for Attitude towards research i.e. 4.18±0.94. There was no significant association between Overall attitude towards research and undergraduate/Postgraduate Programs (p-value>0.05). Positive Attitude towards research was reported by 59.7% postgraduate students and 53.6% undergraduate students. Conclusion: Majority of the students had positive attitude towards research. Keywords: Attitudes, Physical therapy, Research, Students.