Exploring research-related knowledge and attitudes: a study among university students in Lebanon

In Lebanon, given that research and teaching are dual roles and given the limited number of studies regarding the topic at the national level, analysis of factors that may influence university students’ knowledge and attitudes toward research and stratification of gender and study major was conducted. This study aimed to assess research-related knowledge and attitudes and associated factors; a secondary objective was to stratify the results on gender and students’ field of study. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2022 among 445 university students using a validated questionnaire. Higher knowledge about research was significantly associated with graduate student and majoring in health, medicine, or science. High and intermediate GPAs and checking research carried out by instructors were associated with a better attitude towards research. There were also discrepancies between universities in that regard. Knowledge and attitudes about research among university students are multifactorial.