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

Abstract

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.