With Hiccups and Bumps: An Innovative Measure of Student Understanding of the Nature of Science

• In Event: Measurement Issues in Survey Research

Abstract

This research describes the development and validation of a Rasch-based instrument, the Nature of Science Scale (NOSS), for measuring elementary student understanding of the Nature of Science (NOS). The instrument, designed for large-scale assessment use is conceptualized using five construct domains. Data from 741 elementary students was used to pilot the Rasch scale with continuous improvements made over three successive administrations. Reliability and validation studies are provided. Overall, the data conformed to the assumptions of the Rasch model. Rasch modeling proved especially productive in scale improvement efforts. A Rasch-based scale is particularly effective in measuring interval-level change within a population; as a result, the NOSS should prove beneficial for science education research.

Authors

• Shelagh M. Peoples, Boston College

• Katherine Shields, Boston College

• Laura M. O'Dwyer, Boston College

• Yang Wang, Wisconsin Center for Education Research