College Students' Attitudes Toward Scientific Research: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Strengthening positive attitudes toward research among undergraduate students is a key factor in developing research competencies and skills. The objective of this study was to describe the level of attitudes toward scientific research and to compare their distribution by gender and academic program among students at a private university in northern Peru.  The methodology was based on a quantitative approach, using a non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional design. The participants were 235 students enrolled in twelve academic programs at a university, who completed a validated and reliable attitude toward research scale. The results showed that the students exhibited a high level of positive attitude and a moderate level of negative attitude; they also displayed declarative ambivalence. Furthermore, the results indicate that the level of attitude toward research differs significantly by gender. The findings reveal differences in attitudinal patterns and suggest the need to strengthen institutional strategies for research training.