Selected variables that discriminate between high and low research producers among contemporary counseling psychologists

There is limited empirical knowledge concerning factors that contribute to research productivity in counseling psychology. The present survey research sought to increase the knowledge base by investigating correlates of research productivity relating to research training environment, attitude toward research, and research skill and providing a Social Learning Theory rationale of self-efficacy for the variables. The study hypothesized that the above variables reduced to factors consistent with sources of self-efficacy, that a combination of the identified factors discriminated between high and low research producers, and that the significant dimension related to research self-efficacy. It also studied the discriminating ability of selected demography.;Multivariate statistical methods were utilized through SPSS. Evaluation of assumptions revealed no serious threats. All instruments were proven to be valid and reliable.;Findings revealed that demographic variables did not discriminate between high and low research producers. Attitude Toward Research, Research Skill and Research Training Environment variables reduced to factors consistent with sources of self-efficacy. High producers could be distinguished from low producers by a Research Publication Climate which included a research training environment incorporating sources of self-efficacy and by a generally favorable research attitude currently and at exit from the doctoral program, but not by research skill nor the entry attitude toward research. The separating dimension correlated with research self-efficacy. Differential findings of a self-efficacy of conducting and publishing research lent support to self-efficacy's domain specificity.;The present study supports the conviction that research training in a doctoral program impacts on the publication of its graduates. It also provides a framework for a training environment that integrates self-efficacy and research productivity for potentially increasing research, publication, and the advancement of knowledge.;The sample, consisting of 500 randomly selected counseling psychologists from a roster provided by counseling psychology doctoral programs, resulted in a 69% response. Criteria for inclusion in the analyses was a post-doctorate time period from 1970-1984. Measures to minimize the threat of non-response bias were utilized. Subjects were divided into high producers with two or more publications and low producers with zero or one publication.