Middle School Science Laboratory Academic Risk Taking Scale: Validity and Reliability Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a measurement tool to specify the academic risk taking situations faced by students in middle school science laboratories. The sample of data obtained in the study consisted of 1,285 middle school students (5-8th grade). Data obatined from 742 participants were used for exploratory factor analysis, and 543 participants for confirmatory factor analysis. Explanatory and confirmatory factor analyzes were used in order to determine the construct validity of the measurement tool. For reliability, Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient were calculated, and was found to be .79. The total variance ratio explained is 54.32%. As a result of the reliability and validity analyzes, a "Science Laboratory Academic Risk-Taking Scale (SLRTS)" consisting of 12 items in a three factorial structure (cautious risk taking, analytical risk taking, uninhibited risk taking) was developed.