Philippine E-Journals

Librarians’ Self-Efficacy in Conducting Survey Research: Basis for Developing a Training Program

Marian R. Eclevia | Cynthia L. Cordova

 

Abstract:

This study aims to examine the self-efficacy of practicing librarians in performing various survey research tasks, from questionnaire design to disseminating research findings. It also aims to develop a training program for practicing librarians with a basic or novice level of research competence to help them improve their research skills. This exploratory descriptive research used an online survey method to gather information about librarians' beliefs about their ability to use the survey as a research method. The Survey Research Self-Efficacy Scale was developed and validated to measure the perceived self-efficacy of practicing librarians. Respondents are moderately confident in research and have average self-efficacy in the performance of survey-related tasks. Research competence and survey research self-efficacy are significantly correlated. There are significant differences in the survey research self-efficacy across the categories of research competence. The findings of this study could be beneficial to professional library associations and LIS schools by deepening their understanding of the research self-efficacy and research competence of practicing librarians. The findings of this study have significance for practicing librarians who are emerging authors/researchers in the LIS field, as well as for library associations that offer continuing education programs for librarians. This study proposed a training program spanning the steps of the survey research process to help them enhance their self-efficacy and competence in research. The paper highlights the librarians’ self-efficacy in performing various tasks related to survey research methods. It can guide library managers, LIS curriculum developers, and library associations in addressing the needs of practicing librarians for training on how to conduct survey research.