Abstract:

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of midwifery students’ attitudes toward postgraduate education on their attitudes and behaviors to conduct scientific research. Methods: The population of the cross-sectional study consisted of third- and fourth-grade students studying in the midwifery department of a university in the 2021–2022 academic year. There are 235 students in these classes and 226 students were reached (participation rate: 96%). The data were collected face to face by distributing the forms to the students: questionnaire form, Attitude Towards Graduate Education Scale, and Attitude Towards Scientific Research Scale were used. In the analysis of the data, correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between number percentage distributions and scale scores, and t test and ANOVA test were used to evaluate the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. Results: 50.4% of the students want to take postgraduate education, and the most prominent reason for their request is to specialize in a field (53.5%). More than half of the students regularly read scientific articles and follow publications. One third took part in a research, 71.7% participated in scientific activities. A moderately positive correlation was found between students’ postgraduate education attitudes and their positive attitude scores toward scientific research. Conclusion: Graduate education programs should be introduced to students in their education processes and they should be encouraged to take part in scientific studies.

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