The development of a questionnaire to measure students' motivation towards science learning

• Published in: International journal of science education Vol. 27; no. 6; pp. 639 - 654
• Main Authors: Tuan, Hsiao-Lin, Chin, Chi-Chin, Shieh, Shyang-Horng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor and Francis Ltd 16.05.2005; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Curriculum subjects: programmes and methods; Education; Educational sciences; Exact and natural sciences; Knowledge; Learning; Motivation; Questionnaires; Science and technology; Students; Teaching methods; Taiwan; Measurement; Science; Intrinsic Motivation; Questionnaire; Secondary Education
• ISSN: 0950-0693; 1464-5289
• DOI: 10.1080/0950069042000323737

The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire that measures students' motivation toward science learning (SMTSL). Six scales were developed: self-efficacy, active learning strategies, science learning value, performance goal, achievement goal, and learning environment stimulation. In total, 1407 junior high school students from central Taiwan, varying in grades, sex, and achievements, were selected by stratified random sampling to respond to the questionnaire. The Cronbach alpha for the entire questionnaire was 0.89; for each scale, alpha ranged from 0.70 to 0.89. There were significant correlations (p < 0.01) of the SMTSL questionnaire with students' science attitudes (r = 0.41), and with the science achievement test in previous and current semesters (r p  = 0.40 and r c  = 0.41). High motivators and low motivators showed a significant difference (p < 0.01) on their SMTSL scores. Findings of the study confirmed the validity and reliability of the SMTSL questionnaire. Implications for using the SMTSL questionnaire in research and in class are discussed in the paper.