Navigating the Hidden Curriculum: Practical and Psychological Barriers to Research Engagement among Vietnamese Undergraduate Students

Abstract

This study investigates the barriers to research engagement among undergraduate students using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Analysing data from 164 participants, the research identifies significant practical and psychological obstacles hindering student involvement in scientific inquiry. Key findings reveal that practical barriers, specifically the prioritization of required courses and GPA maintenance, are the most prevalent constraints, alongside financial pressures from part-time employment. Psychologically, students reported uncertainty regarding the hidden curriculum of identifying and contacting supervisors, coupled with low self-efficacy in research design. The study concludes that systemic curricular rigidity and a lack of clear communication channels contribute to these barriers, necessitating institutional policy reforms to integrate research into the standard curriculum.