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Constructing and validating an instrument to measure students' attitudes and beliefs about learning mathematics

Breen, Sinéad orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-7215-0460, Cleary, Joan and O'Shea, Ann orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-8504-2290 (2009) Constructing and validating an instrument to measure students' attitudes and beliefs about learning mathematics. In: MEI 3, 24-25 September 2009, Dublin, Ireland.

Abstract
When embarking on a study of attitudes and opinions, it is important to design an instrument of inquiry that will provide valid, reliable and interpretable information that addresses the specific question of interest. Reported here are attempts made to evaluate the reliability and validity of a survey instrument using Rasch analysis, factor analysis, and Cronbach’s alpha. The instrument aimed to measure students’ confidence and anxiety in relation to learning mathematics, and to examine their goal orientation and beliefs on the nature of intelligence, by recording their responses to a number of statements using a Likert style format. A previous study conducted by the authors failed to endorse Dweck’s (1986) claims that a student’s theory of intelligence and confidence in his/her present ability combine to determine the student’s behaviour when presented with an unfamiliar and/or challenging task. The present study was initiated in order to provide the opportunity to investigate this claim more comprehensively. The techniques (of Rasch and factor analysis) used to investigate the validity of the instrument designed, also facilitate the computation of a quantitative measure of the level of each trait possessed by a student.
Metadata
Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Event Type:Conference
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Constructing instrument, validating instrument, attitudes and beliefs
Subjects:Social Sciences > Education
Mathematics
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Mathematical Sciences
Research Institutes and Centres > Research Centre in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education (CASTel)
Publisher:St Patrick's College, Dublin
ID Code:30684
Deposited On:24 Jan 2025 09:20 by Sinead Breen . Last Modified 24 Jan 2025 09:21
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