Understanding the Self-Efficacy of Data Scientists

The self-efficacy of Brazilian data scientists' professional profiles was analyzed to launch new views on this profession, marked by fast technological changes and with a body of knowledge and an incommensurable scope of skills, as understood by these professionals. A grounded theory was built using a qualitative approach. It found the coping theory to explain the phenomenon after the emergence of self-preservation, as an adaptation strategy, and self-efficacy, as a striking feature of the profession. A practical implication is that self-efficacy has trade-offs both to threats and opportunities in the process of becoming a data scientist. The present article describes the value of the coping theory makes possible an in-depth view of the analytical expertise influence on threats and opportunities, and on technology adaptation choices.