Attitudes Towards Research in Graduate-Entry Australian Physiotherapy Students: A Survey
Date
Authors
Stubbs, P
Altre, C
Verhagen, A
Bartley, N
McCambridge, Alana
Borja, J
Haylock, L
Dang, K
Pate, J
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Health Education and Training Institute - HETI
Abstract
Purpose: To assess the attitudes towards research in a two-year, graduate-entry Master of Physiotherapy course. Methodology: All students starting (T0) and ending (T1) their degrees in 2020 and 2021 were invited to complete the revised Attitudes Towards Research Questionnaire. This is a three-factor instrument with 13 statements assessing Research Usefulness (four statements, scores ranging from 4 to 28), Research Anxiety (five statements, scores ranging from 5 to 35), and Positive Research Predispositions (four statements, scores ranging from 4 to 28). Each statement was scored using a seven-item Likert scale ranging from ‘Strongly Agree’ (1) to ‘Strongly Disagree’ (7). Student responses between T1 and T0 for factor scores were compared using independent samples t-tests and summarised using mean differences (95% CIs). We defined the minimally important difference as 15% of the scale range. Findings: Ninety-seven percent (n=124/129) of students completed the survey at T0 and 57% (n=79/125) at T1. We found no difference between T0 and T1 in research anxiety (0.2 points, 95% CI: –1.5 to 2.0) and research usefulness (–0.9 points, 95% CI: –1.8 to 0.1), but a significant (although not meaningful) decrease in positive research predispositions between T0 and T1 (–1.7 points, 95% CI –3.2 to –0.2). Research implications: Qualitative research could complement these quantitative findings and provide in-depth reasons for student scores. Practical implications: Educators need more active strategies to improve attitudes and engagement in research-focused subjects to further engage students. Originality/value: This is the first study to document attitudes towards research in an Australian graduate-entry Master of Physiotherapy program. Limitations: There is likely bias (unclear in which direction) at T1 given that 57% of students completed the survey. Surveys were not linked, so group differences were assessed independently.Description
Keywords
32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 3202 Clinical Sciences, 42 Health Sciences
Source
Health Education in Practice: Journal of Research for Professional Learning, ISSN: 2209-3974 (Print); 2209-3974 (Online), Health Education and Training Institute - HETI, 7(1). doi: 10.33966/hepj.7.1.18040
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© 2019 Health Education & Training Institute. This journal is licenced under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 4.0