Ethical Challenges in Medical Research: Assessing Awareness of Scientific Misconduct among Future Physicians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Research publications are a cornerstone of medical advancement, requiring adherence to ethical standards to ensure credibility and integrity. However, academic pressure and limited ethics training have led to increasing scientific misconduct, particularly among students. This study aimed to assess awareness and understanding of publication ethics and misconduct among medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and examine how knowledge varies by academic level, institution, and other characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 440 medical students using a validated online questionnaire. The survey collected demographic data and assessed research involvement and knowledge of ethical guidelines. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t tests, and ANOVA via SPSS version 29.0. Results: Most participants were female (61.8%) and from King Abdulaziz University (35.0%). While 66.8% were aware of a Research Ethics Committee, only 33.2% and 41.1% were familiar with ICMJE criteria and COPE guidelines, respectively. Overall, 47.7% demonstrated high knowledge of publication ethics, while 21.8% showed low knowledge. Knowledge was significantly associated with academic year, clinical experience, and perceived importance of ethics (p < 0.05), but not with gender. Unexpectedly, students without prior research publications had higher knowledge scores than those with research experience (p = 0.029). Conclusion: While half of the medical students had a good grasp of research ethics, significant gaps remain, particularly among early-year students. Higher academic levels and clinical exposure were associated with better understanding. These findings highlight the need to integrate structured education on research ethics early in the medical curriculum to promote responsible research practices.