What Good Is It for Me? The Development and Validation of the Individual Science Usefulness Survey

• In Event: Poster Session 4
  In Poster Session: Examining Engagement in Science Across People, Places, and Time

Abstract

The paradigm that people use to answer science related questions, solve science related problems, and make decisions on science related issues, may have profound influence on their motivation to learn science and engage in science issues that have societal implications. To determine how people perceive the usefulness of science to answer questions and guide decision making we developed the Individual Science Usefulness Survey – ISUS. It is the first instrument that we are aware of that assesses individual perceptions of the usefulness of science. Our research on undergraduate students revealed a Cronbach’s alpha of .93 reflecting a high level of reliability. Implications and applications will be discussed.

Author

• Louis S. Nadelson, Utah State University