Abstract
This study aimed to develop a STEM interest and attitude scale suitable for the elementary school students in Taiwan. After reviewing relevant literature, a scale was drafted and used to assess 100 elementary students for conducting both item analysis and exploratory factor analysis. After that, unsuitable items were deleted and the revised scale was employed to assess 1,194 elementary students to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis, construct the scale model and confirm the overall fit, and test the internal structure. The scale developed by this research has four categories. Consequently, the results of this study are as follows: (1) The factor analysis concludes that each subject of STEM has two dimensions--"self-value orientation" and "social value orientation"; (2) Every sub-construct of the scale has a good fit--the factors measured by each item conform to the theoretical constructs, and the theoretical framework of the scale can be supported by empirical data; and (3) The scale has good internal consistency reliability. Therefore, the scale developed in this study has good credibility, validity and stability. It can be used to assess elementary students’ STEM interest and attitude. Further studies can be generated around the scale and from its applications.
Author Information
Hsiu-chuan Yang, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan
Lung-Sheng Lee, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
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