SOME FACTORS INFLUENCING UNDERGRADUATE PHARMACY STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF AND ATTITUDES TOWARD RESEARCH RELATED ACTIVITIES

There is a growing shortage of pharmacy students pursuing graduate education and research oriented careers in pharmacy. This study was undertaken to assess the role of attitudinal factors in undergraduate pharmacy students' intentions to pursue graduate education and research oriented careers. Perceptions of research and research related activities were also assessed using semantic differential scales. Results indicated that students who had been involved in research projects and/or had mentors involved in research perceived research more favorably, had stronger intentions to do research, and were more confident in their abilities to do research. Females were more diffident than males in their abilities to do research.