2001;9:261-282. doi: 10.1177/106907270100900304.

Validity of measures of math- and science-related self-efficacy for African Americans and European Americans.

Journal of Career Assessment

Laurie R Gwilliam

UIID-EM: 40 Bookshelf ID: 2002-18583-004 DOI: 10.1177/106907270100900304

Abstract

Examined the reliability and validity of 3 measures of investigative (science) self-efficacy, a measure of self-efficacy with respect to scientific/technical fields (STF), and mathematics self-efficacy. Also, it addressed the question of whether or not these measures were psychometrically sound and normatively comparable with African Americans (AA) and European Americans (EA). 399 students (mean age 18.7 yrs) participated. All measures were found to be reliable in both racial groups, and all but the STF were found to be related to each other as well as to a criterion of consideration of majors and careers in the sciences. Although validity was comparable for AA and EA as groups, there was some tendency for relationships of self-efficacy to science relatedness of choices to be strongest among AA women. There were gender differences in math and science self-efficacy, but no significant race differences. The STF, used originally with students who had already tentatively selected majors in science and engineering, yielded nearly bimodal score ranges in these unselected samples (both AA and EA), suggesting its use may be inappropriate with unselected samples of college students. Recommendations for use of these measures are reported. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords: reliability; validity; mathematics self-efficacy; European Americans; college student; scientific/technical self-efficacy; measures; gender; Educational Measurement; Academic Specialization; Technology; Whites

Publication Types

• Journal Article