Factorial Validation of an Instrument for the Assessment of Practical Chemistry Skills Acquisition

Abstract

This study developed and validated an instrument, for assessing secondary school students’ practical chemistry skills acquisition in qualitative analysis. Three research questions guided the study. It was an instrumentation research design. An instrument known as Qualitative Analysis Observation Schedule (QAOS) was developed. It was first validated facially and then factorially by subjecting it to factor analysis to establish the construct validity at the end of which 35 items emerged as valid items. The instrument was then trial tested on 30 students used as a representative sample outside the study area.  Cronbach’s alpha reliability technique and kendall’s coefficient of concordance (?) were used to establish the internal consistency and inter-rater reliability coefficients of the instrument respectively. It was recommended that the instrument be adopted by examining bodies for use, as it has been found to be valid and reliable.

Keywords: Factorial validation, Instrument, Reliability, Practical chemistry skills Qualitative analysis