International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Kalla Ashok, Ritu Chakravarty, Ch. Ramya Sri, Apoorva Veldandi, Kuppusamy Ponnusamy, Sanjit Maiti and Vani Chandran

abstract
Fostering scientific temperament among researchers is crucial for informed decision-making and advancing knowledge. While education provides tools, instilling the proper mindset is essential for effective application. Recognizing and addressing the scientific temperament of scholars is vital for enhancing the rigor and impact of academic research. This study aims to measure the scientific temperament of doctoral research scholars in agricultural sciences comprehensively, facilitating accurate assessment by other researchers. A Scientific Temperament Index (STI) was developed using Relevancy percentage and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) methods, comprising four dimensions and eleven indicators. Despite investigations into research scholars' attitudes, there is a notable gap in focusing on their scientific temperament, which this paper addresses by providing a detailed methodology. Findings reveal that most respondents (47%) possess a moderate level of scientific temperament towards conducting academic research, while 36% exhibit a high level. Notably, no significant difference was found between the scientific temperament of scholars from rural and urban backgrounds, but gender disparities were evident, with male respondents displaying a different temperament compared to females. Additionally, there was no significant variance in the scientific temperament of Ph.D scholars between universities of varying rankings. The study suggests a need for training in scientific techniques and research methodologies, alongside increased support for research scholars. Future research should focus on analyzing the effect of gender on scientific temperament and productivity. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for enhancing the rigor and impact of academic research in agricultural sciences and beyond.