Development and validation of an instrument assessing preschool children's attitude towards science

Abstract

This study intended to modify an established attitude instrument (ATSSA) to gauge preschool children's science attitude, with a focus on its psychometric characteristics (i.e., reliability and validity). The modified ATSSA scale consisted of 15 items that aim to capture 53 preschool children's interest in science and science related activities were read aloud. Children's responses were rated on a four-point scale ranging from 0(dislike) to 3(like it a lot). Results provided strong evidence for the reliability of the measure for both occasions (Cronbach's Alpha = .851and .822) and a unifactorial structure of the modified ATSSA scale. Further, confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated high loadings of the items onto the General Science Attitude factor, ranging from .453 to .859. Finally, generalizability coefficient (. 733) was obtained to demonstrate the moderately high degree of dependability of the current measurement design. Twenty items and three occasions were required to achieve the desirable reliability of .80. Implications and limitations of the study were also discussed.