Examining the Growth Mindset Among Academics at Private Higher Educational Institutions (PHEIs) in Sabah, Malaysia: A Quantitative Study
Abstract
Growth mindset or the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through dedication and effort is vital for Malaysian academics because it fosters academic resilience, enhances adaptability in the fast-paced digital economy, and helps overcome anxieties around complex issues. Adopting this perspective is crucial for Malaysia's socioeconomic development, directly impacting several principal areas of higher education, including science, technology, and entrepreneurship. The purpose of this study was to examine the growth mindset among academics at private higher educational institutions (PHEIs) in Sabah, Malaysia. The sample comprised 61 academics from four PHEIs in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, who completed the Growth versus Fixed Mindset Assessment on Google Forms. Data were subsequently transferred onto a spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS 29.0. First, findings showed that below average proportions (52.5 t0 58.8 percent) of academics tend to strongly agree/agree on eight of the items, while average proportions (72.1 to 83.6 percent) of them tend to strongly agree/agree on 12 of the items. Additionally, Mann-Whitney U test indicated nonsignificant gender differences in growth mindset, while Kruskal-Wallis H test showed nonsignificant differences by way of age and job experience. Besides, Wilcoxon signed rank test indicated that 16 of the growth mindset items were significantly different from the hypothesized median value of 3.5 at p < .001, while four of the items were significantly different from the hypothesized median value of 3.5 at p < .05. Findings imply that only below average to average proportions of PHEI academics tend to possess a high growth mindset. In light of the findings, several recommendations were made on ways to enhance academics’ growth mindset in Sabah, Malaysia.
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References
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