ERIC Number: EJ781798
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 19
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0033-2933
EISSN: N/A
Psychometric Properties of the Revised Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale
Baloglu, Mustafa; Zelhart, Paul F.
Psychological Record, v57 n4 p593 Fall 2007
An exploratory factor analysis and several confirmatory analyses were performed to evaluate the factorial structure of the Revised Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (RMARS) through the responses of 805 college students. On 559 students' scores, the instrument's construct validity was tested through a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and was found to be inadequate. An exploratory factor analysis suggested a modification by dropping five items. After the modification, a second CFA showed that the modified model fit the theoretical model well. Cross-validation of the modified model was tested on a different sample of 246 students and was found to be satisfactory. In addition, concurrent validity of the instrument was found from significant relationships between the modified RMARS scores and students' self-perceptions of their general and current mathematics anxiety levels. The modified RMARS is valid and reliable and could be used as a screening tool, a placement tool, or a research tool. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)
Descriptors: Construct Validity, Factor Structure, Rating Scales, Factor Analysis, Psychometrics, Mathematics Anxiety, College Mathematics, College Students, Test Validity, Test Construction, Screening Tests
Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Mailcode 4609, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-4609: e-mail: psychrec@siu.edu; Web site: http://www.siuc.edu/~ThePsychologicalRecord/index.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A