Examining the Predictive Role of Teacher Support Typologies on Students’ Research Self-Efficacy: An Integrated Theoretical Perspective
Merino A. Bantasan | Maria Fatima B. Ligtinen
Discipline: Education
Abstract:
Studies show that social support enhances students’ beliefs in their
ability to perform research tasks; however, most prior research has focused on
graduate and postgraduate students and examined support in general, limiting
understanding of how multiple types of social support interact to shape secondary
students’ research self-efficacy. Guided by Tardy’s Social Support Framework and
Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory, this study investigated the predictive effects of
informational, appraisal, emotional, and instrumental support on students’
research self-efficacy. A quantitative-predictive research design was employed,
with 350 secondary students from Baguio City, Philippines, completing validated
instruments measuring perceived teacher support and research self-efficacy.
Binary logistic regression revealed that all four support types significantly
increased the odds of students reporting high research self-efficacy, with
informational support showing the strongest effect, followed by appraisal,
instrumental, and emotional support. These findings underscore the multifaceted
role of teacher support in enhancing students’ research competence, highlighting
the importance of clear guidance, constructive feedback, emotional reassurance,
and practical resources. The study suggests that interventions targeting all four
support dimensions can substantially strengthen students’ self-efficacy in
conducting research tasks.
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