The Extent of Availability of Professional Research Skills Based on British Reseacher Development Framework among Graduate Students in Colleges of Humanitarian at King Saud University from Their Perspective

This research aims to study the suitability of the items of the British Reseacher Development Framework to Saudi culture, through the development of a self-assessment tool for professional research skills of graduate students based on this framework. This framework consists of four dimensions, twelve sub-dimensions, with items under each. The validity and reliability indicators of the scores of this tool were verified. The tool was applied to a sample of 144 master degree female students at the colleges of humanities at King Saud University, in Saudi Arabia.
The results showed that the tool was appropariate for application, and that there were good reliability and validity indicatations for the tool, and that female students’ 
professional research skills were at medium level in general, with increase and decrease on some items. There were statistically significant differences among femal students on the total score of professional research skills, and the sub-scores of knowledge and intellectual abilities; and engagement, influence and impact, based on college (Education, Arts, Tourism and Archaeology), favoring Archaeology students. In addition, results showed statistically significant differences among female students on the total score of professional research skills; and the sub-scores of knowledge and intellectual abilities; personal effect
tivness; engagement, influence and impact, based on program type (courses and thesis or courses only) favoring programs with courses and thesis.