Construction of Mathematics Attitude Scale Using Factor Analysis

Abstract

This study was a correlational type aimed at constructing and validating a Mathematics attitude scale using factor analysis. The sample for this study consisted of 1500 JSS 3 and SSS 2 students selected from 50 schools in Oyo and Ekiti States, using multistage sampling technique. The test items were generated from three sources. These are: - statements of students, (drawn from ten states) on their attitude towards Mathematics; information from available literature and the researcher’s experience as a Mathematics teacher. A total of 115 items were generated and subjected to preliminary analysis and factor analysis. The preliminary analysis involved checking for sample size adequacy using Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy as well as data screening to remove irrelevant, redundant and unclear items.  To this end, Bartlett’s test of sphericity was done while the determinant of the R-matrix provided information on the existence of multicollinearity and singularity. Item- total correlation was also done to remove items with correlation below 0.4.  The KMO was 0.948 while Bartlett’s test was significant at 0.000 implying that the R-matrix was not an identity matrix and that the pattern of correlations was relatively compact and hence appropriate for factor analysis.   Factor analysis was done using the fifty-six (56) items selected after data screening. Oblique rotation was done. Thirteen items did not load on any of the factors, two overlapped while one was not directly-related. Thus there were 40 items which loaded on ten (10) factors. Convergent validity was ascertained using inter-factor correlation. Cronbach’s ? was used as the measure of reliability coefficient for the entire scale (r =0.925). It was concluded that the scale was   valid and reliable for measuring students attitude toward Mathematics and hence recommended for teachers to utilize the scale to measure the attitude of their students’ to facilitate positive attitude towards Mathematics.

Keyword: Construction, Mathematics, Attitude, Scale, Factor Analysis