Self-efficacy and problem solving as predictors of attitudes toward research: a study with university students of Amazonia in virtual education 2021

Ames-Guerrero R.J.; Huamani-Cahua J.C.; Sato-Ruiz J.E.; Panduro-Tenazoa N.M.; Zegarra-Valdivia J.A. · Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology (2022) · DOI: 10.25115/ejrep.v21i59.7152

Resumen

Introduction. Fitting together virtual teaching environments has made possible the continuance of higher education at the global level, and particularly in Peru, after the proliferation of the Covid-19 virus during 2020 and 2021. Nevertheless, teachers and students from Amazonian communities continue to face challenges to public education, such as limited access and insuf-ficient knowledge of technological and educational resources, which may lead to low involve-ment and unfavorable attitudes towards academic research activities. Objective. The aim of this research was to propose an explanatory model for attitudes toward research, based on perceived self-efficacy and problem-solving ability in a university popula-tion, as a function of demographic factors such as gender, age, and current year of studies, during virtual education in 2021. Method. This observational, descriptive, and correlational study used a sample of students (n = 958) between the ages of 18 and 25 years. Self-reported questionnaires were used to inquire about their perceived level of academic, situation-specific self-efficacy; problem-solving abil-ity; and attitude towards research, where the latter were explained through structural equation modeling (SEM). Results. The study confirmed that students' degree of self-efficacy and problem-solving ability predicted their attitude toward research (p < 0.05), with adequate goodness-of-fit indices for the SEM model (X2 / df = 3.27; CFI = 0.968; RMSEA = 0.049; TLI =.945). Likewise, path analysis revealed that self-efficacy was directly related to indicators of attitude toward research, partic-ularly uninterest in research (0.24), little vocation for research (0.32) and low value given to research: (0.24). Discussion and Conclusions. Thus it is essential that the university strengthen problem-solving skills and a sense of self-confidence in undergraduate students, and thereby increase students’ involvement in research activities. © Universidad de Almería e Ilustre Colegio Oficial de la Psicología de Andalucía Oriental (España)

Instituciones: Universidad Católica de Santa María; Universidad Nacional Intercultural de la Amazonia; Universidad Señor de Sipán