Perceived research environment, motivation, and academic interest in research: a social-cognitive perspective

Abstract

Using social-cognitive career theory as a framework, we investigated whether research self-efficacy and outcome expectations mediated between perceived research environment and research motivation (intrinsic, extrinsic, and failure avoidance) and interest in research. Participants were 290 Indonesian academics (48.8% female; mean age 43 years). Perceived research environment and failure avoidance were related indirectly to interest in research via self-efficacy and outcome expectations, and intrinsic motivation was related both directly and indirectly. Perceived research environment was related indirectly to outcome expectations via self-efficacy; intrinsic motivation and failure avoidance were related both directly and indirectly; and extrinsic motivation was related directly.