Research Self-Efficacy and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy of Students at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences: An Explanatory Model

In the 21st century, higher education institutions seek to set up research activities and improve the quality of these research studies. One of the factors affecting the quality of research is student research self-efficacy which is expected to lead to career decision-making self-efficacy. Statistical population of this descriptive, correlational study included all the students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2015-16. A sample of 300 was formed by multi-stage cluster sampling. Research instruments were Betz and Luzzo’s career decision-making self-efficacy scale and Holden’s research self-efficacy scale. After calculating the validity and reliability, the questionnaires were distributed and the data were analyzed in LISREL using correlation coefficient test. In research self-efficacy, reporting skill (47.13±1.29) and collection skill (42.20±2.67) had the highest and lowest scores respectively. In career decision-making, goal commitment (3.10±0.89) and problem-solving skill (3.00±0.78) had the highest and lowest scores respectively. There was a positive significant relationship between the dimensions of research self-efficacy and decision-making self-efficacy such that with students’ increased research self-efficacy, their career decision-making enhanced. The more the curriculum emphasizes the development of students’ research skills, the more their sense of self-efficacy increases in career decision-making and on the path to professional development.