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Teaching research methodology in

medical schools: students' attitudes
towards and knowledge about science
Matko Marušić, Ana Marusic, Maja Hrabak, Ivana Vodopivec

Medical Education

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 Teaching research methodology in medical schools:
Students' attitudes towards and knowledge about
science
Hren D., Lukic I.K., Marusic A., Vodopivec I., Vujaklija A., Hrabak
M., Marusic M.
Zagreb University School of Medicine, Šalata, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb,
Šalata 3b, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract: 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.
Author Keywords: Attitude; Croatia; Curriculum; Education, medical undergraduate/*methods;
Questionnaires; Research methodology/*methods/ education; Science/*education; Students medical

Year: 2004
Source title: Medical Education
Volume: 38
Issue: 1
Page : 81-86
Cited by: 35
Link: Scorpus Link
Correspondence Address: Marušić, M.; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3b, HR-10000
Zagreb, Croatia; email: mmarusic@mef.hr
Document Type: Article
Source: Scopus
Authors with affiliations:
1. Hren, D., Zagreb University School of Medicine, Šalata, Zagreb, Croatia
2. Lukić, I.K., Zagreb University School of Medicine, Šalata, Zagreb, Croatia
3. Marušić, A., Zagreb University School of Medicine, Šalata, Zagreb, Croatia
4. Vodopivec, I., Zagreb University School of Medicine, Šalata, Zagreb, Croatia
5. Vujaklija, A., Zagreb University School of Medicine, Šalata, Zagreb, Croatia
6. Hrabak, M., Zagreb University School of Medicine, Šalata, Zagreb, Croatia
7. Marušić, M., Zagreb University School of Medicine, Šalata, Zagreb, Croatia, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata
3b, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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