The Role of Computer Self-efficacy, Self-esteem, and Subjective Well-being in Predicting Research Self-efficacy Among Postgraduate Students

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which postgraduate students’ belief in their computer self-efficacy, self-esteem and subjective well-being predicts research self-efficacy. The study group consisted of 247 postgraduate students studying at the Karadeniz Technical University Institute of Social Sciences, Institute of Science and Institute of Health Sciences. The Research Self-Efficacy Scale, Computer Self-Efficacy Scale, Self-Esteem Scale, Subjective Well-being Scale, and a Demographic Data Form were used for data collection. Data analysis was performed by Pearson moments correlation, multiple linear regression analysis, t test, one-way analysis of variance, and the Scheffe test. Study findings revealed a significant positive correlation between students’ belief in their research self-efficacy and computer self-efficacy and subjective well-being, but no significant correlation with self-esteem. In terms of belief in their research self-efficacy, female students regarded themselves as more efficacious than did males, Institute of Science students regarded themselves as more sufficient than students at the other institutes, and students working on doctorates regarded themselves as more efficacious than master’s degree students with or without a thesis component. In addition, findings revealed that belief in research self-efficacy varied depending on the number of scientific congresses attended within the year, number of papers written, subscriptions to scientific journals, and daily length of computer use for scientific purposes. These results showed that computer self-efficacy and subjective well-being are significant predictors of belief in research self-efficacy.