Commitment to Science and Perception of Scientist Identity in Predicting Intention to Pursue Postgraduate Education

Abstract

In this study, in which a relational survey design was used, it was examined whether university students' commitment to science and their perceptions of their identity as a scientist were important determinants of their decision to pursue postgraduate education. Participants consisted of 315 second year undergraduate students who were enrolled in different programs at a higher education institution. The Commitment to Science Scale, the Scientist Identity Scale, and the Postgraduate Education Intent Scale were used as data collection tools. The stepwise regression analysis method was used to determine the level of contribution of the study variables predicting participants' intentions to pursue postgraduate education. The results showed that commitment to science and perception of identity as a scientist were significant predictors of the decision to pursue postgraduate education, and the variable of scientist identity was found to be the strongest variable explaining the participants' intentions for postgraduate education. The results draw attention to the positive aspects and importance of psychological variables related to science in creating commitment to postgraduate careers. The proliferation of a science culture that embraces undergraduate students in a campus setting can encourage students to pursue a career in science by helping them progress towards becoming a scientist.

Keywords

• Commitment to science
• Identity as a scientist
• Postgraduate education

Lisansüstü Eğitim Alma Kararını Yordamada Bilime Bağlılık ve Bilim İnsanı Kimliği Algısı

Abstract

İlişkisel tarama deseninin kullanıldığı bu araştırmada mevcut üniversite öğrencilerinin bilime bağlılıkları ve bilim insanı kimliğine ilişkin algılarının mezuniyet sonrası lisansüstü eğitim alma kararlarında önemli belirleyiciler olup olmadığı incelenmiştir. Bu amaçla çalışmanın katılımcıları bir yükseköğretim kurumunun eğitim fakültesine bağlı farklı programlarda öğrenimlerine devam eden 315 ikinci sınıf öğrencisinden oluşmaktadır. Araştırma kapsamında veri toplamak amacıyla Bilime Bağlılık Ölçeği, Bilim İnsanı Kimliği Ölçeği ve Lisansüstü Eğitim Niyeti Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Bağımsız değişkenlerin lisansüstü eğitim alma niyetini ne düzeyde yordadığını belirlemek için aşamalı regresyon analizi yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları, bilime bağlılığın ve bilim insanı olarak kimlik algısının lisansüstü eğitim alma kararının anlamlı birer yordayıcısı olduğunu ancak bilim insanı kimliği algısının öğrencilerin mezuniyet sonrası lisansüstü eğitime devam etme konusundaki niyetlerini açıklayan en güçlü değişken olduğunu göstermiştir. Sonuçlar, bilimle ilgili bu psikolojik değişkenlerin lisansüstü kariyere bağlılık yaratmada olumlu yönüne ve önemine dikkat çekmektedir. Kampüs ortamında lisans öğrencilerini kucaklayan bir bilim kültürünün yaygınlaşması, öğrencileri bilim insanı olma kararlılığına doğru ilerlemelerine yardımcı olarak bilim alanında kariyer yapmaya teşvik edebilir.

Keywords

• Bilime bağlılık
• Bilim insanı kimliği
• Lisansüstü eğitim

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