Preliminary Work on Measuring the Sources of Research Self-Efficacy in College Students' Early Research Experiences

• In Event: AERA Virtual Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session: Motivational Processes and Effects

Abstract

With a heavy emphasis on mastery experiences, existing research self-efficacy (RSE) instruments often include research activities that may not be salient to students engaging in early research experiences. This proposal reports the first strand of a sequential exploratory mixed-method study to develop a new RSE instrument focused on multiple sources of self-efficacy. Using qualitative interviews, we explore research self-efficacy and the early research experiences of undergraduates, with a focus on the role Bandura’s four sources of self-efficacy play in those experiences. We performed a directed content analysis on seven semi-structured undergraduate interviews. A deductive approach established the four sources as the categories containing nine subcategories. Mastery experiences were the most prevalent, yet the presence of all four sources was notable.

Authors

• Justine Piontek, The University of Memphis

• Eli Andrew Jones, The University of Memphis

• Leigh M. Harrell-Williams, The University of Memphis

• Luke Walden, The University of Memphis

• Patrick L Shipp