title: Perceived barriers towards participation in undergraduate research activities among medical students at Alfaisal University-College of Medicine: A Saudi Arabian perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The importance of undergraduate research (UR) to students is well acknowledged in literature; however, little is known about its perceived barriers. The aim of study is to explore the perceived barriers toward participation in UR activities among students at Alfaisal University-College of Medicine, Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online, anonymous, cross-sectional, self-rating survey was administered. A two-tailed Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the average five-point Likert scale responses between male and female students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two-hundred and twenty-one students (n = 221/350) participated in the survey with a 63.1% response rate. The percentage of participation in UR significantly differed by gender (males vs. females: 68.6% vs. 45.4%; p < 0.0005, Chi-square test). The top three barriers toward participation in UR were "lack of time" (77.4%), "lack of formal UR courses in curriculum" (76%) and "lack of UR mentors" (70.1%). Statistically significant differences of means were identified between male and female students regarding the following statements: "lack of supervising research mentors" (p < 0.01), "lack of interest in research" (p < 0.04), "lack of finding same-gender research mentor" (p < 0.00) and "lack of UR opportunities" (p < 0.00).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results were fairly comparable to the Western studies. Medical educators should carefully look into all UR barriers and consider implementing applicable solutions.
authors.affiliation: a Alfaisal University , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Razan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kharraz
authors.affiliation: a Alfaisal University , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Reem
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hamadah
authors.affiliation: a Alfaisal University , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Danah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: AlFawaz
authors.affiliation: a Alfaisal University , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Jalila
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Attasi
authors.affiliation: a Alfaisal University , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Akef S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Obeidat
authors.affiliation: a Alfaisal University , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Wael
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Alkattan
authors.affiliation: a Alfaisal University , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abu-Zaid
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D009042:Motivation; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012737:Sex Factors; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*