Appendix 1 – Quantitative Analysis of the upSKILL.map 8Cs Competency Model (R outputs)

CreatorsOkada, Alexandra (The Open University, UK)Description / AbstractThis appendix contains the quantitative statistical outputs supporting the validation of the upSKILL.map 8Cs competency model for research skills development. The analyses were conducted in R using a dataset of 40 participants. The appendix includes:Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measure and Bartlett’s test of sphericityPrincipal Component Analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotationTotal variance explained and component transformation matricesReliability analysis for the 28-item upSKILL.map scale (Cronbach’s α = .963)Descriptive statistics for the 8Cs competency framework and individual itemsScree plot and factor extraction justificationWilcoxon test comparing perceived competency relevance across career stagesThese materials provide the statistical evidence supporting the dimensional structure and internal consistency of the upSKILL.map competency framework used to analyse research skill development across career stages.KeywordsupSKILL.map research competencies 8Cs framework principal component analysis research skills doctoral education early career researchers Wilcoxon test quantitative analysis R statistics MethodsQuantitative statistical analysis conducted in R including:Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test of sampling adequacyBartlett's test of sphericityPrincipal Component Analysis (PCA)Varimax rotation with Kaiser normalizationReliability analysis (Cronbach’s alpha)Descriptive statisticsWilcoxon rank-sum test for career-stage comparisonsTemporal Coverage2025–2025Geographic CoverageUnited Kingdom / International academic participants ((The Open University – UK)File DescriptionAppendix containing statistical tables and figures:Table A1 – KMO and Bartlett’s TestTable A2 – Total Variance ExplainedTable A3 – Component Transformation MatrixTable A4 – Case Processing SummaryTable A5 – Reliability Statistics (Cronbach’s α)Table A6 – Descriptive statistics for 8Cs competenciesTable A7 – Descriptive statistics for 28-item scaleFigure 1A – Scree Plot of PCA resultsFigure 1B – Wilcoxon test comparing competency relevance across career stagesRelated PublicationOkada, A., Sheehy, K., Rossade, K. D., & Bandara, A. K. (2026). Developing researchers’ competencies through CARE–KNOW–DO and upSkill.Map, aligned with EU and UNESCO priorities. Open Research Europe. European Commission-funded research.Related DatasetOkada, A. (2025a). upSKILL.map phase-1 dataset. The Open University. https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.rd.30108928.v2