Perceptions and experiences of undergraduate pharmacy students and alumni toward research after exposure to undergraduate research courses
Author | Mukhalalati, Banan |
Author | Elshami, Sara |
Author | Adlan, Ola |
Author | Elshazly, Marwa |
Author | Awaisu, Ahmed |
Author | Stewart, Derek |
Author | Al-Badriyeh, Daoud |
Author | Alali, Feras |
Available date | 2022-12-15T07:16:23Z |
Publication Date | 2022 |
Publication Name | Frontiers in Medicine |
Resource | Scopus |
Abstract | Introduction: Academic institutions have a duty to equip health professional students with the requisite research skills to ensure the implementation of evidence-based practice. This study aims to determine the perceptions of pharmacy students and alumni toward research after completing Undergraduate Research in Pharmacy Courses (URPCs) at the College of Pharmacy-Qatar University (CPH-QU). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. All CPH-QU alumni (n = 238), and all third- and fourth-year professional students who had completed at least one URPC at the time of conducting the study (n = 42) were approached. The questionnaire contained items relating to research experience and perceptions of significance, confidence in conducting research, actual and anticipated outcomes, and motivation for future research. A Theoretical Domains Framework informed the development of selected items. Results: The response rate was 72.1% (202/280); however, the usable rate was 95.5% (193/202). The participants gave positive responses relating to their perceptions of research significance {Median = 5.0 [Interquartile range (IQR) = 1.0], Minimum-Maximum = 1-5}, confidence in conducting research [Median = 4.0 (IQR = 1.0), Minimum-Maximum = 1-5], actual and anticipated outcomes [Median = 4.0 (IQR = 1.0), Minimum-Maximum = 1-5], and motivation for future research plans [Median = 4.0 (IQR = 1.0), Minimum-Maximum = 1-5]. The majority of participants perceived non-confidence in using data analysis software [72 (39.4% non-confidence)] and a high proportion of participants were non-confident in conducting data analysis [45 (24.6% non-confidence)]. More than half reported publishing at least one peer-reviewed article [99 (54.4% agreement)] from their courses and were highly motivated to consider post-graduate degrees in pharmacy [132 (73.3% agreement)]. Conclusions: Incorporating URPCs into CPH-QU curriculum has potentially improved students and alumni's perceptions of research. Action is needed to improve confidence in different aspects of research. Copyright 2022 Mukhalalati, Elshami, Adlan, Elshazly, Awaisu, Stewart, Al-Badriyeh and Alali. |
Sponsor | This research was supported by the (Qatar University internal grant) under Grant (QUST-2- CPH -2021-213). Open access funding is provided by Early Career Researcher Award (ECRA03-001-3-001) and Qatar National Research Fund. |
Language | en |
Publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
Subject | confidence interest motivation outcomes pharmacy research courses significance Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) |
Type | Article |
Volume Number | 9 |
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Pharmacy Research [1261 items ]