Supporting the Development of the Perceived and Actual Research Competence of Pre-Service Teachers

The aim of this study was to investigate the development of the perceived and actual research competence of pre-service teachers enrolled in a master’s programme using a pre-test–post-test research design. Research competence, which encompasses a range of knowledge, skills, and attitudes and include...

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Main Authors: Miha Matjašič, Janez Vogrinc
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/652
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author Miha Matjašič
Janez Vogrinc
author_facet Miha Matjašič
Janez Vogrinc
author_sort Miha Matjašič
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this study was to investigate the development of the perceived and actual research competence of pre-service teachers enrolled in a master’s programme using a pre-test–post-test research design. Research competence, which encompasses a range of knowledge, skills, and attitudes and includes both perceived (self-reported) and actual (objective) concepts, is critical for effective teaching, teacher professional development, and the integration of research-based practises into the classroom. The study examined how perceived research competence, as measured by a web questionnaire, changed over the course of the semester and how these changes corresponded to actual research competence as measured by the knowledge test. The participants were pre-service teachers from the University of Ljubljana who completed both the web questionnaire and the knowledge test at two time intervals during a research-based course. The results indicate a significant increase in perceived research competence, especially in terms of research knowledge and skills, as well as a significant improvement in actual research competence. While there was a statistically significant increase in positive attitudes towards research, this increase was moderate. This study also emphasises the alignment between perceived and actual research competence over time, suggesting that practical research experiences help students to develop more realistic self-assessments. By furthering the understanding of how research competence develops over time, this study provides actionable insights for the design of more effective research-based teaching.
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spelling doaj-art-4f607410e52f4c0fbe7eddb0051b74b72025-08-20T03:27:10ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-05-0115665210.3390/educsci15060652Supporting the Development of the Perceived and Actual Research Competence of Pre-Service TeachersMiha Matjašič0Janez Vogrinc1Department of Educational studies, Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaDepartment of Educational studies, Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaThe aim of this study was to investigate the development of the perceived and actual research competence of pre-service teachers enrolled in a master’s programme using a pre-test–post-test research design. Research competence, which encompasses a range of knowledge, skills, and attitudes and includes both perceived (self-reported) and actual (objective) concepts, is critical for effective teaching, teacher professional development, and the integration of research-based practises into the classroom. The study examined how perceived research competence, as measured by a web questionnaire, changed over the course of the semester and how these changes corresponded to actual research competence as measured by the knowledge test. The participants were pre-service teachers from the University of Ljubljana who completed both the web questionnaire and the knowledge test at two time intervals during a research-based course. The results indicate a significant increase in perceived research competence, especially in terms of research knowledge and skills, as well as a significant improvement in actual research competence. While there was a statistically significant increase in positive attitudes towards research, this increase was moderate. This study also emphasises the alignment between perceived and actual research competence over time, suggesting that practical research experiences help students to develop more realistic self-assessments. By furthering the understanding of how research competence develops over time, this study provides actionable insights for the design of more effective research-based teaching.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/652perceived research competenceactual research competencepre-service teacher educationresearch-based teachingeducational research
spellingShingle Miha Matjašič
Janez Vogrinc
Supporting the Development of the Perceived and Actual Research Competence of Pre-Service Teachers
Education Sciences
perceived research competence
actual research competence
pre-service teacher education
research-based teaching
educational research
title Supporting the Development of the Perceived and Actual Research Competence of Pre-Service Teachers
title_full Supporting the Development of the Perceived and Actual Research Competence of Pre-Service Teachers
title_fullStr Supporting the Development of the Perceived and Actual Research Competence of Pre-Service Teachers
title_full_unstemmed Supporting the Development of the Perceived and Actual Research Competence of Pre-Service Teachers
title_short Supporting the Development of the Perceived and Actual Research Competence of Pre-Service Teachers
title_sort supporting the development of the perceived and actual research competence of pre service teachers
topic perceived research competence
actual research competence
pre-service teacher education
research-based teaching
educational research
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/652
work_keys_str_mv AT mihamatjasic supportingthedevelopmentoftheperceivedandactualresearchcompetenceofpreserviceteachers
AT janezvogrinc supportingthedevelopmentoftheperceivedandactualresearchcompetenceofpreserviceteachers