Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Student Self-Reported Science Learning Gains Instrument

• In Event: Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: The Interplay of Math, Science, and Literacy II

Abstract

The Student Self-Reported Science Learning Gains Instrument (SSLG) was developed to assess gains from authentic research in undergraduate classrooms. In this study, SSLG data from 403 students enrolled in authentic research courses were used to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the six-factor model developed from our previous exploratory factor analysis. The factorial structure of SSLG model was revised due to high construct inter-correlations and a second order three-factor solution was tested. The second order CFA model with the three dimensions of Interest, Concept Understanding, and Inquiry Competency had a good fit (RMSEA = .049 and CFI = .952). Scores for measuring the convergent validity, discriminant validity and internal reliability of the higher order three-factor model yielded good estimates.

Authors

• Daihong Chen, Seattle Pacific University

• Kimberly Murphy, Augustana College

• David M Rhoads, California State University - San Bernardino

• Jennifer Tenlen, Seattle Pacific University

• Andrew Lumpe, Seattle Pacific University

• Benjamin J McFarland, Seattle Pacific University

• Katey Houmiel, Seattle Pacific University

• Brad Goodner, Hiram College

• Lori Scott, Augustana College

• Derek Wood