Are students ready to undertake research? Developing the Student Research Engagement Readiness scale.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Are students ready to undertake research? Developing the Student Research Engagement Readiness scale.
Authors:	Lőrincz, Marianna¹ lorinc.marianna@kmf.org.ua, Csernicskó, István¹ csernicsko.istvan@kmf.org.ua
Source:	Issues in Educational Research. 2026, Vol. 36 Issue 1, p161-185. 25p.
Subject Terms:	Student research, Psychological research, *Higher education, Self-efficacy, Test reliability, Questionnaires
Geographic Terms:	Ukraine
Abstract:	Engaging students in research is essential for preparing them for evidence-informed academic and professional practice. In response to the need for a comprehensive diagnostic tool, our study reports the development and validation of the Student Research Engagement Readiness (SRER) scale, grounded in a multidimensional framework of research readiness encompassing cognitive, affective, and behavioural components. Data were collected from 334 undergraduate and graduate students at Ukrainian universities. The instrument underwent expert validation and piloting, followed by psychometric evaluation through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor structure - research self-efficacy, research motivation, barriers to research engagement, and research participation - further supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The scale's internal consistency reliability was strong across all subscales. Students' overall readiness scores were categorised into four levels (low, moderate, good, and excellent), with the majority falling within the moderate to good range. The SRER scale offers higher education institutions a reliable means for diagnosing student readiness for research engagement and tailoring support to foster their academic development and research involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	Engaging students in research is essential for preparing them for evidence-informed academic and professional practice. In response to the need for a comprehensive diagnostic tool, our study reports the development and validation of the Student Research Engagement Readiness (SRER) scale, grounded in a multidimensional framework of research readiness encompassing cognitive, affective, and behavioural components. Data were collected from 334 undergraduate and graduate students at Ukrainian universities. The instrument underwent expert validation and piloting, followed by psychometric evaluation through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor structure - research self-efficacy, research motivation, barriers to research engagement, and research participation - further supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The scale's internal consistency reliability was strong across all subscales. Students' overall readiness scores were categorised into four levels (low, moderate, good, and excellent), with the majority falling within the moderate to good range. The SRER scale offers higher education institutions a reliable means for diagnosing student readiness for research engagement and tailoring support to foster their academic development and research involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	03137155