The Baccalaureate Research Project. Students' Perspective on the Development of Research Skills and Attitudes Towards Research.

Abstract

Nowadays, it is widely recognised that students must develop the skills and competencies necessary to conduct research at school. This study aims to analyse how Baccalaureates perceive their final research project. To do this, an ad hoc questionnaire has been applied to a sample of 1.496 second-year Baccalaureate students from different schools in Catalonia, selected using on-probability convenience sampling. The results obtained show that students do not usually attribute too many difficulties to carrying out the different tasks associated with a research project. Likewise, the Baccalaureate research project facilitates the development of transversal competencies and some specific research skills. In relation to scientific literacy and attitudes towards research, our study has found that students positively value the social impact of research after completing the research project; however, they do not necessarily show a strong interest in pursuing a career in the scientific professions. Gender, among other variables, has also been found to alter perceptions about the development of skills and attitudes towards research. As a general conclusion, the opinion that students have of the Baccalaureate research project is positive, which should encourage educational policymakers to continue promoting this practice, as well as a more intensive use of research-based methodologies at different educational levels.