title: Association of research self-efficacy with medical student career interests, specialization, and scholarship: a case study.
abstract: This study used variables proposed in social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to focus the evaluation of a research curriculum at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University (CCLCM). Eight cohorts of CCLCM medical students completed a web-based version of the six-scale Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory-Short Form (CRAI-SF) items at matriculation (n = 128) or graduation (n = 111) during 2009-2013. Parametric statistics were used to compare CRAI-SF scales to domains proposed in SCCT: trainees' characteristics (gender, training level, advanced degree), career interests, career intentions (medical specialty), and performance (peer-reviewed publications and required thesis topic). A number of lessons emerged in using theory to frame the evaluation of a complex educational program. Graduates rated their research self-efficacy significantly higher on all six CRAI-SF scales with large effect sizes (>.90) on five scales (Conceptualizing a Study, Study Design and Analysis, Responsible Research Conduct, Collaborating with Others, and Reporting a Study). Women and men did not have significantly different scores on CRAI-SF scales (p > .05), suggesting that the research program provides adequate supports for women students. Most thesis projects addressed clinical (36.9 %, n = 41) or translational (34.2 %, n = 38) research topics. The CRAI-SF discriminated between medical school matriculates and graduates, suggesting that research self-efficacy increases with mastery experiences. No significant relationships occurred between CRAI-SF scores and graduates' thesis topics or chosen clinical specialty. Correlations demonstrated significant relationships between graduates' perceptions of research self-efficacy and their interest in clinical research careers.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue NA25, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA, biererb@ccf.org.
authors.forename: S Beth
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Bierer
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Prayson
authors.forename: Elaine F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Dannefer
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000328:Adult; D035843:Biomedical Research; D002321:Career Choice; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010380:Peer Review; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D013038:Specialization; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*