Impact of Research Orientation on Attitudes Toward Research of Social Work Students

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between orientation to research and attitudes toward research among social work students. Orientation included the students' beliefs regarding the importance of research, the usefulness of research, and its validity. Attitude included the student's research anxiety and interest. Surveys were administered to 283 undergraduate and graduate social work students in 2008 and 2009. The Ordinary Least Squares regression found that belief in the importance of research increased the research interest of students. Belief in the usefulness of research decreased research anxiety and increased research interest. Strategies for enhancing a positive orientation and attitude toward research are proposed.