Unveiling the Confidence: Exploring Research Self-efficacy among Ph.D. Scholars

Abstract

The present investigation aimed at measuring the research self-efficacy of Ph.D. research scholars. The term research self-efficacy means a person’s belief that they can perform the research activity with some proficiency. The present study consists of ninety-two participants from different universities and research institutes in West Bengal. The researchers employed a cross-sectional survey method for the present study. A self-constructed, close-ended questionnaire was constructed and administered to collect the data. During data analysis, the researchers utilised t-test, ANOVA, mean, S.D., correlation, skewness, and kurtosis with the help of SPSS-22 software. The findings of the investigation are that the research scholars have a high level of research self-efficacy. Male participants obtain slightly higher research efficacy than female scholars. Also, research scholars from science backgrounds have better research self-efficacy than those from the arts, commerce, etc. Further, the results show no significant distinction in research self-efficacy concerning their gender, faculty, type of researcher, and years of research involvement.