Can teaching research methodology influence students' attitude toward science? Cohort study and nonrandomized trial in a single medical school.
BACKGROUND
Medical teaching aims to develop attitudes and behaviors underlying professional competence of future physicians. We investigated whether a mandatory course on scientific methodology in the second study year could affect students' attitudes toward science in medicine.


METHODS
In a longitudinal study, students (n = 241) enrolling in 2001-2002 academic year at a single medical school were followed up until graduation in 2006-2007. Each year, they filled out a Likert-type questionnaire of 18 statements evaluating attitude toward science. Direct influence of the course on students' attitudes was tested in a nonrandomized controlled trial with the 2006-2007 second year student cohort.


RESULTS
Positive students' attitudes toward science increased during study years (mean [SD] score of the maximum score of 90): from 57.6 (6.0) in the first to 69.8 (10.4) in the sixth year. There was a significant trend of increase in attitudes with the years of study (cubic trend by polynomial contrasts analysis, P = 0.011). Attendance of a course on research methodology significantly increased positive attitudes (score, 67.0 [7.0] before and 70.8 [7.5] after course, P = 0.032 vs control group), regardless of grade point average. The intervention had an effect even when the influence of the initial attitude was accounted for (F1,140 = 9.25, P = 0.003; analysis of covariance). The attitude changes after the course was greatest in students with low initial attitude scores (Spearman rinitial score, score difference, -0.44).


CONCLUSIONS
Medical students have positive attitudes toward science and scientific method in medicine. Attendance of a course on research methodology had positive short-term effect on students' attitudes toward science. This positive effect should be maintained by vertical integration of the course in the medical curriculum.
Zagreb University Hospital Center, Croatia.
Ana
A
Vujaklija
Darko
D
Hren
Dario
D
Sambunjak
Ivana
I
Vodopivec
Ana
A
Ivanis
Ana
A
Marusić
Matko
M
Marusić
D001290:Attitude; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017523:Croatia; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D012106:Research / Q000193:education*; D012577:Schools, Medical; D012586:Science / Q000193:education*; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires