National Science Education Standards
Journal of Geological Education · 1995
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Cronbach’s alpha is a statistic commonly quoted by authors to demonstrate that tests and scales that have been constructed or adopted for research projects are fit for purpose. Cronbach’s alpha is regularly adopted in studies in science education: it was referred to in 69 different papers published in 4 leading science education journals in a single year (2015)—usually as a measure of reliability. This article explores how this statistic is used in reporting science education research and what it represents. Authors often cite alpha values with little commentary to explain why they feel this statistic is relevant and seldom interpret the result for readers beyond citing an arbitrary threshold for an acceptable value. Those authors who do offer readers qualitative descriptors interpreting alpha values adopt a diverse and seemingly arbitrary terminology. More seriously, illustrative examples from the science education literature demonstrate that alpha may be acceptable even when there are recognised problems with the scales concerned. Alpha is also sometimes inappropriately used to claim an instrument is unidimensional. It is argued that a high value of alpha offers limited evidence of the reliability of a research instrument, and that indeed a very high value may actually be undesirable when developing a test of scientific knowledge or understanding. Guidance is offered to authors reporting, and readers evaluating, studies that present Cronbach’s alpha statistic as evidence of instrument quality.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
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Effects of Field Studies on Learning Outcome in Biology
The major purpose of this study was to determine the effects of field experiences on students’ knowledge of process of science and biology achievement. The design of the study was experimental, 2 x 2, pre-test, post-test control group design. The sample of the study consisted of 100 biology students in two intact classes. Four research questions were raised and collapsed to four hypotheses. The first three hypotheses were tested with t-test statistic at 0.05 level of significance. The fourth hypothesis was tested with Pearson Product Moment Correlation Statistic. The major findings of this study included: a significance difference in process of science scores between pre-test and posttest of field trip students; a significant difference in process of science test scores between students exposed to field trip experiences and those who were not exposed; a significant difference in biology achievement test scores between students exposed to field trip experiences and those who were not; and a strong correlation between process of science score and biology achievement score. It was concluded that field trip experiences enhanced students’ understanding of process of science, improved students’ attitude towards biology and significantly influenced their biology achievement.
