Improving Attitudes Towards Health Science Research: Findings from a large ethnically diverse sample of undergraduate students

Background: Studies show undergraduate students typically view the idea of research negatively, reporting feelings of anxiety and difficulty, and reduced perceptions of relevancy to their own life and health-related careers. Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) are well-positioned to shift student perceptions of research. The purpose of this study is to explore changes in attitudes towards health science research in a large sample of undergraduate students attending a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Methods: Data were collected from eight semesters at a large, designated Hispanic-Serving Institution in the southeast region of the United States. Students enrolled in the CURE were asked to complete the 32-item Attitude Towards Research (ATR) scale at the beginning and end of the semester. Results: Across all eight semesters, 971 students (74% female, 54% no research experience, 91% senior academic standing) provided valid pre-posttest data. Statistically significant improvements were observed across all semesters for all factors of the ATR scale (p<0.05). Females reported greater reductions in research anxiety compared to males (p<0.01). Students with no prior research experience reported greater improvements in research anxiety (p<0.001), positive feelings toward research (p<0.001), relevancy of research to student lives (p=.002), and perceived difficulty of research (p=0.03) compared to those students who reported having research experience (e.g., currently, or previous experience working/volunteering/assisting with a research group or project). Discussion: Findings from this study demonstrate the potential of a CURE at improving undergraduate students’ attitudes toward health science research, particularly in students who have no prior research experience. Continued consideration and evaluation of how and what is delivered in CUREs is required to advance the pedagogy of health science research.