INVESTIGATING THE MEDIATING INFLUENCE OF FACULTY ON GENDER-MODERATED ATTITUDES AND EXPOSURE TOWARDS RESEARCH COMPETENCE

Abstract

Research competence is crucial for postgraduate students, since it develops analytical ability, critical thinking, and good communication. The effect of attitudes, faculty type, and gender on research competence among postgraduate students in Southwest Nigeria is examined in this study. The study assessed, with gender as a moderator, the direct and indirect links between attitude, faculty, and research competence using a moderated moderation analysis model. Data from 316 postgraduate students showed that research competence is much improved by a good attitude towards research. Still, faculty type and gender had no appreciable mediating effect on this association. The results underline the need of encouraging good research attitudes to improve research competence independent of faculty type and gender.