ERIC Number: EJ1299193
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Jun
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-0145
EISSN: N/A
The Development and Validation of a Survey for Evaluating Primary Students' Self-Efficacy in STEM Activities
Luo, Tian; So, Winnie Wing Mui; Li, Wai Chin; Yao, Jianxin
Journal of Science Education and Technology, v30 n3 p408-419 Jun 2021
STEM integration has become a popular concept not only in the context of education practices but also as a way of learning. The integration of the STEM domains is evident in students' learning experiences when engaging in STEM activities. However, there is a lack of instruments for evaluating students' levels of self-efficacy in these activities. Therefore, the aims of this study were to develop a survey for evaluating upper primary students' self-efficacy in STEM activities and to explore whether a student's gender, grade, and participation in STEM activities predict his or her self-efficacy in STEM activities. A total of 844 fourth- to sixth-grade primary students participated in this study. After pilot testing, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted, the survey was found to have a single-factor structure with high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.90). Linear regression analysis showed that school and out-of-school participation in STEM activities significantly predicted the students' self-efficacy in STEM activities, while grade and gender did not. The survey developed in this study provides a reliable and valid way to measure students' self-efficacy in STEM activities. These findings also highlight the importance of encouraging students' participation in both formal and informal STEM activities.
Descriptors: Student Surveys, Self Efficacy, Elementary School Students, Student Participation, Science Activities, STEM Education, Informal Education, Predictor Variables, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Measures (Individuals), Test Validity
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades; Grade 5; Middle Schools; Grade 6
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A