Master's-Level Counseling Students' Self-Wfficacy and Attitudes Toward Research

• In Event: Diverse Perspectives on the Training and Development of Counseling Students

Abstract

We examined the psychometric properties of two questionnaires measuring Master’s level counseling students' self-efficacy beliefs and attitudes toward research and compared these constructs tested at the beginning of an introductory research course and again at the end of the semester. The self-efficacy questionnaire measured one clear construct with very high internal consistency, and students significantly increased their pre-post self-efficacy. A factor analysis of the attitudes toward research questionnaire revealed four constructs: Value of Training, Time and Resources, Inherent Difficulty and Personal Practices with moderate to weak internal consistencies. Pre-post scores on Value of Training and Personal Practice decreased. Recommendations are made for continued research on measuring and fostering attitudes toward research for Master’s students in counseling.

Authors

• Sarah E. Peterson, University of Texas at El Paso

• Arturo Olivarez, The University of Texas - El Paso

• Sang Min Shin, University of Texas at El Paso