Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Modeling: Applying Vitae Researchers’ Development Framework through the Lens of Web 2.0 Technologies for Vocational-Health Education Researchers

Muhammad Zaheer Asghar (), Javed Iqbal, Pirita Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, Elena Barbera, Fatih Mutlu Ozbilen and Yasira Waqar
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Muhammad Zaheer Asghar: Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Javed Iqbal: School of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China
Pirita Seitamaa-Hakkarainen: Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Elena Barbera: Faculty of Psychology Education, Open University of Catalonia, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Fatih Mutlu Ozbilen: Çanakkale Vocational School of Social Sciences, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17000 Çanakkale, Turkey
Yasira Waqar: Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education, Lahore University of Mangement Sciences, Lahore 54792, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Background and Purpose: The development of research knowledge, skills, and attitudes among postgraduate vocational-health education students is a crucial outcome of their degree program. This study focuses on the research competences of vocational-health education students and their use of web 2.0 technologies to enhance research productivity. The study employs the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) and examines the use of web 2.0 technologies. Method: The study surveyed 390 postgraduate vocational-health education students enrolled in universities in Pakistan. Of the participants, 50.5% were male, 49.5% were female, 45.1% were from private universities, and 54.9% were from public sector universities. Moreover, 68.2% were Master’s students, while 31.8% were doctoral students. The data were analyzed through both symmetrical and asymmetrical modeling techniques, including Partial least square equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), to measure the direct and indirect specific relationships among the constructs. Results: The results confirmed that research competences and web 2.0 technologies have a direct effect on research productivity. Furthermore, the results revealed that web 2.0 technologies mediate in the relationship between research competences and research productivity. Conclusions: The study concludes that research competences and web 2.0 technologies predict research productivity. Additionally, web 2.0 technologies have an intervening role in the relationship between research competences and research productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. Implications: This study highlights the broader implications for health education policymakers and institutions to include web 2.0 technologies in their development plans. Future studies can develop web 2.0-based instructional strategies for the professional development of advanced vocational-health education researchers. Originality: This study contributes to the knowledge of research competences, web 2.0 technologies, and research productivity for vocational-health education researchers.

Keywords: research competences; research productivity; vocational-health education; web 2.0 technologies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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