Development and validation of an instrument to assess precollege Arabic speaking students' attitudes toward science
Summers, Ryan
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/31214
Description
Title
Development and validation of an instrument to assess precollege Arabic speaking students' attitudes toward science
Author(s)
Summers, Ryan
Issue Date
2012-05-22T00:36:04Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Abd-El-Khalick, Fouad
Department of Study
Curriculum and Instruction
Discipline
Curriculum and Instruction
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
attitudes
attitudes toward science
affective variable assessment
precollege science education
Abstract
This study is part of a large-scale project focused on identifying factors that impact precollege Qatari students’ interest in, and attitudes toward, science. The study details the development and validation of an instrument to assess precollege Arabic speaking students’ attitudes toward science: “Arabic Speaking Students’ Attitudes toward Science Survey” (ASSASS). Grounded in theories of reasoned action and planned behavior (TRAPB), the finalized 45-item instrument addresses themes that cut across many of those present among popular, extant instruments. The ASSASS was piloted with 395 grades 3 through 12 students selected from the Arab nation of Qatar. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a six-factor empirical model with a GFI value of 0.910 and a RMSEA value of 0.0498, which suggest a moderately good model fit. These factors, identified as positive outlook toward science, negative outlook toward science, normative beliefs, intention to pursue or engage in science, school science, and perceived utility of science, do map to a good extent onto perspectives rooted in TRAPB, but diverge from the latter to suggest substantially more complex ways in which student attitudes toward science might impact their declared intentions to pursue additional studies in science or scientific related careers.
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