Development and validation of an instrument to assess precollege Arabic speaking students' attitudes toward science

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Curriculum and Instruction

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Summers, Ryan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Abd-El-Khalick, Fouad

• attitudes
• attitudes toward science
• affective variable assessment
• precollege science education

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2012 Ryan Summers

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/31214

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/31214