The development of an analysis of quantitative measurements competence disparity scale for graduate students

Academic research competencies play the most essential role in graduation for graduate students, but there is still a lack of in-depth research on this matter. Since talent development suggestions are provided based on the survey results of capability gaps, this study aimed to develop a scale to examine the research competency disparity between graduation requirements and graduate students’ current levels of competency in the context of quantitative research in the education, arts and humanities, and business domains. It is named the “Quantitative Academic Competence Scale”. To explore the needs of graduate students regarding their academic research competence, we constructed a draft questionnaire with nine categories of competence; academic experts validated the scale. It was then administered to graduate students to explore their perceived disparities. A total of 457 participants assisted in filling out the questionnaire, from which 86 invalid samples were deleted, leaving 371 valid participants, giving an effective recovery rate of 81.2%. After collection and analysis, the analysis results found that the three graduate students’ academic research competences with the greatest disparity were English writing competence, research design and implementation competence, and data processing and analyzing competence. According to the results, graduate students should take more courses on English writing competence, research design and implementation competence, and data processing and analyzing competence to enhance their competencies. generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) suggests that research ability factors can be comprehensively considered. Based on the graduate students’ ability gaps, curriculum settings and training plans can be adjusted and more targeted (personalized) at teaching and guidance to help graduate students improve their academic performance and reduce weaknesses in their research capabilities.