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Cited by 13Dental Education, Practice, ResearchHealth and Medical Research ImpactsHealth Sciences Research and Education

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Motives and Barriers Towards Scientific Research among Dentists and Dental Students in Saudi Arabia

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Abdulrahman, Somaya, Aboalshamat, Khalid, Muthana, Malak, Sait, Ghaida, Bantan, Nuran, Hafiz, Shuruq, Mahrous, Renad, Alsuhaqi, Aishah·2020·The Open Dentistry Journal
DOI 10.2174/1874210602014010615
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Abstract

Background: Research is crucial for the scientific progress of the health of individuals, communities, and systems. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, motives and barriers among dentists and dental students in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Objective: This study aims to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, motives and barriers toward scientific research among dentists and dental students in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 467 dentists and dental students using a convenience sampling method from seven dental colleges, major governmental and private dental clinics in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. We used a validated self-report questionnaire to collect data and assess the knowledge of, attitude towards and barriers to scientific research. Results: The participants (who are dentists and dental students) have a total knowledge score of m=4.57, SD=2.46, which is slightly lower than the midpoint. Participants who work in governmental clinic were significantly (F (2,464) =13.71, p<0.001) more knowledgeable than those who worked in private clinic and the students. Most participants had positive general and personal attitudes toward scientific research. Of the participants, 40.5% to 60.4% were involved in research activities, and 37.3% have submitted or published scientific articles. The most common motive for scientific research was receiving credit for post-graduate application (58.46%). The most common organizational barrier to conduct a research was the difficulty of finding research supervisor (39.19%) and lack of time due to work overload (32.55%). While most common personal barriers were lack of knowledge/skills (38.76%), lack of personal time (36.83%) and receiving credit for postgraduate application. Conclusion: Saudi dentists and dental students had a moderate level of knowledge and practice in research, but their attitude was highly positive. More efforts are needed to facilitate scientific dental research including supervisors’ availability and time allocation for research. The study has some limitations including using convenience sample from one region and self-report questionnaire that decreases the external validity of the study and increases the potential for self-reported biases.

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  • The literature rarely included detailed qualitative methodology to understand the details and contexts of student research obstacles.

    “Second, the literature in this area rarely included detailed qualitative methodology, which is vital if we are to understand the details and contexts of student research obstacles.”

    From Barriers faced by undergraduate dental students when conducting research: a qualitative study (2025) · cites this paper as [12]

    The Introduction says few studies of dental students and dentists covered a larger geographical area, but it does not assess how often the literature used detailed qualitative methods. The Methods and Discussion describe this paper’s questionnaire and its findings on research barriers; neither addresses whether qualitative methods are needed to understand those barriers in context (searched for qualitative methodology and methodological gaps). (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. essential link to equity in development. USA: Oxford University Press 1990.

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Authors
Abdulrahman, S., Aboalshamat, K., Muthana, M., Sait, G., Bantan, N., Hafiz, S., Mahrous, R., & Alsuhaqi, A.
Affiliations
Umm al-Qura University (SA)
ORCID
Venue
The Open Dentistry Journal
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Published
2020-12-23
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
615-622
ISSN
1874-2106 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2174/1874210602014010615
OpenAlex
W3114480394
Cited by
13
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1
FWCI
1.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
The Open Dentistry Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Dental Education, Practice, Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Health and Medical Research Impacts
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Sciences Research and Education
Keywords
research motivation, barriers to research, attitudes toward research, dentists, dental students, research supervisors, work overload, Saudi Arabia

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