Attitude Toward Research in Nursing Interns and Medical Specialty Residents in a Pediatric Hospital in Mexico

Background: A positive attitude toward research is crucial for the development of evidence‐based practice (EBP). Despite its importance, many medical and nursing students display negative or indifferent attitudes toward research. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes toward research among nursing interns and medical residents in a pediatric hospital in Mexico. Methods: After obtaining approval from the hospital’s ethics committee, a structured and validated questionnaire was administered to nursing interns and medical residents ( n = 198) who had signed informed consent. The results were categorized into four areas: research skills, barriers to research, and positive and negative perceptions of research. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed (ANOVA, Student’s t ‐test, and Pearson correlation), with a significance level of p < 0.05, following a prior normality test using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Results: The majority of participants considered writing skills and knowledge of APA formatting to be essential for conducting research. However, they also identified significant barriers, such as lack of knowledge and limited support from faculty. Participants exhibited low to moderate attitudes toward research. Conclusions: Attitudes toward research were generally poor in this study group. Educational institutions and hospitals should implement strategies to foster a supportive and research‐driven environment, which could enhance the training of future professionals and ultimately improve the quality of healthcare.