Date of Award
8-1-2018
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
School Name
Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education
Department
Education
Major Advisor
Dr. Grant Smith
Second Advisor
Dr. Mike Vetter
Third Advisor
Dr. Mark Wiegand
Abstract
As the demand for physical therapists continues to grow, so too does the importance of student selection for their professional education programs. Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs have become competitive due to high application volume from increased projected job demand. Admissions committees responsible for identifying applicants must determine which application variables to consider and how to measure. They must also identify individuals that will be able to successfully perform both within the program and the profession. For this study, consideration of perspectives from positive psychology and emotional intelligence highlighted the concept of self-efficacy. Further, identification of its associated measurements of goals and motivation were suggested through various sources of theoretical support, primarily Social Cognitive Theory, Self-Determination Theory, and Goal-Setting Theory. These ideas were combined with the intent to address the problem associated with effectively identifying interview performance and admission yield. By connecting these key constructs, a four-dimensional self-efficacy framework adapted from a seminal study was further developed and applied to evaluate interview responses. Measurement of these responses were analyzed through logistic regression, with no statistically significant results. Nonetheless, valuable implications and conclusions surrounding the data were identified to guide practical recommendations in continuing to build upon this study.
Recommended Citation
Wiehebrink, Jordan, "Self-efficacy as a Predictor of Interview Performance and Admission Yield for Doctor of Physical Therapy Applicants" (2018). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones. 60.
https://scholarworks.bellarmine.edu/tdc/60