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Research is essential aspect of today medical practice. Medical education regulatory bodies and international competence-based frameworks consider research an important competence of physician. All undergraduate medical programs introduce research component in curriculum. Yet students’ active involvement in research is variable across programs. Furthermore, pursuing a positive attitude towards scientific research is considered a vital element of modern undergraduate medical education. This study aims to investigate medical students’ self-perceptions of research competency, and their experience and attitude towards research. It also explores research barriers among medical students at Faculty of Medicine, Umm AlQura University (UQU), Makkah Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional, self-administered, electronic survey was designed. The survey was completed by 387 (35%) of medical students at, UQU, Makkah. The result indicted that the majority of respondents 65% (249/387) had contributions in research activities either as requirement aspect of the program or personal interest. There was a significant difference in respondents’ participations in research regarding their gender and year of study. Respondents also indicated moderate competence in research (Mean = 3 , SD= 0.75). Nevertheless, positive attitude towards research was reported. Respondents highlighted the importance of conducting and understanding research in contemporary medical practice. The most common barriers form students’ perspectives were the lack of protected time for research in medical program, followed by the shortage of students' knowledge or skills. As a major conclusion, participants’ reported moderate level of competence in conducting different aspects of research, which was variable across their level of the program. Senior students were significant much self-competent in pursuing research. Also, the reported increased experiences in conducting research among respondents and their positive attitude towards research is clear indication of the success of the curriculum design to develop the core skills and positive attitude towards research among students.

Keywords: Medical Students, Research, Competencies, Obstacle.