Students’ intention to participate in scientific competitions – The scientific students' associations conference in Hungary

Universities face increasing challenges in cultivating the next generation of scientists. One promising strategy for addressing this issue is engaging students in scientific competitions. Understanding the determinants of students' intention to participate in such competitions is essential for improving participation. This study investigates these determinants using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). To address our research questions, we conducted an online questionnaire survey in Hungary in 2023. Participants were recruited in person, provided with verbal and written information about the study, and completed the questionnaire voluntarily and anonymously. The measurement items were specifically developed by the authors, who adapted original TPB items to assess students' intentions to participate in the Scientific Students' Associations Conference (in Hungarian: Tudományos Diákköri Konferencia, TDK), the largest and most prestigious scientific competition in Hungary. Statistical analyses were performed on a sample of 292 students using SPSS, and the research hypotheses were examined using structural equation modelling (SEM) in AMOS. The findings indicate that subjective norms and perceived behavioural control significantly affect students' intentions, whereas attitude does not. The results suggest that increasing student participation in scientific competitions requires more than a focus on attitude-based campaigns. Instead, there should be a strong emphasis on mentorship and the development of individual skills.