Effect of a research methodology course on prospective teachers' research anxiety and self-efficacy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in the levels of self-efficacy for research and anxiety about research among prospective teachers participating in a course on research methodology in education. This study was structured with an exploratory sequential pattern, which is a mixed method. Seventy-four prospective teachers attending a major university in Turkey and taking the course on research methodology in education participated in the study. A single group pre-test/post-test experimental pattern was used in the first phase of the study. The data were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA method. In the second phase of the study, the opinions of 12 prospective teachers were collected using a questionnaire consisting of openended questions. The results of the study showed that the 14-week course on research methods in education given to the prospective teachers was effective in increasing their self-efficacy levels for research, but there was no change in research anxiety. The qualitative data showed that different factors were effective on the self-efficacy and anxiety of the prospective teachers. In this context, the effectiveness of the research methodology course given to the prospective teachers was investigated. In light of the results, the importance of academic guidance offered to prospective teachers was noted and a number of recommendations were presented for researchers.