Refinement of a Chemistry Attitude Measure for College Students

• Xiaoying Xu ^[1] ; Jennifer E. Lewis ^[1]
  1. [1] University of South Florida

     University of South Florida

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 88, Nº 5, 2011, págs. 561-568
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • This work presents the evaluation and refinement of a chemistry attitude measure, Attitude toward the Subject of Chemistry Inventory (ASCI), for college students. The original 20-item and revised 8-item versions of ASCI (V1 and V2) were administered to different samples. The evaluation for ASCI had two main foci: reliability and validity. This study provides evidence for good reliability and validity of ASCI (V2) scores. Reliability was estimated by satisfying internal consistency and test−retest reliability. The two-factor (“intellectual accessibility” and “emotional satisfaction”) correlated structure was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The two subscales could be indicators of cognition and affect components of attitude, and thus make a good connection with a theoretical framework from psychology. Regarding the attitude−achievement relationship, students’ attitudes played a significant role in predicting final achievement in a general chemistry course even when initial ability scores were taken into account. Implications for science education are discussed.