Research Attitude and Productivity Among Faculty at Four-Year U.S. Institutions: A Socialization Perspective

This study examines factors that influence attitudes vis-a-vis research and research productivity among apparel and textile faculty at four-year U.S. institutions from a socialization perspective. Survey data (N = 242) collected from International Textile and Apparel Association members of U.S. four-year institutions were analyzed via a path analysis with LISREL structural equation modeling as well as factorial analysis of variance. Results indicated that perceived support from graduate school, colleagues, institutionsladministrators and family, respectively, were important predictors of attitude toward research. Attitude toward research, in turn, directly influenced research productivity. Environmental and professional characteristics also influenced perceived support from various socialization agents, research attitude, and productivity. On the other hand, personal demographic characteristics had no influence on either perceived support from socialization agents or research attitude and productivity.

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