Introducing a Measure of Perceived Self-Efficacy for Proof (PSEP): Evidence of Validity
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| Title: | Introducing a Measure of Perceived Self-Efficacy for Proof (PSEP): Evidence of Validity |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Shongwe, Benjamin, Mudaly, Vimolan |
| Source: | Journal of Research and Advances in Mathematics Education. Jul 2021 6(3):260-276. |
| Availability: | Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta Department of Education. Ahmad Yani Street, Pabelan Kartasura, Surakarta, Central Java, 57162 Indonesia. Tel: +62-271-717417 ext. 2554; e-mail: jramathedu@ums.ac.id; Web site: http://journals.ums.ac.id/index.php/jramathedu |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2021 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | High Schools Secondary Education Grade 11 |
| Descriptors: | Measures (Individuals), Test Construction, Self Efficacy, Test Validity, Mathematical Logic, Validity, High School Students, Grade 11, Foreign Countries, Factor Analysis, Test Reliability |
| Geographic Terms: | South Africa |
| ISSN: | 2503-3697 |
| Abstract: | It is widely recognized that students encounter difficulties with proof across all grades and beyond, yet standardized instruments related specifically to students' perceived self-efficacy for mathematical proof have not been readily available. The purpose of this study was to develop and investigate preliminary validity evidence for a new instrument for measuring self-efficacy for mathematical proof that can be of importance to the field. The new Perceived Self-Efficacy for Proof (PSEP) questionnaire is a self-administered, 8-item questionnaire that quantifies experimentation, conjecturing, inductive reasoning, justification, and validation. To validate the PSEP, two studies with 260 eleventh grade students--recruited from three Dinaledi schools in EThekwini metropolitan area, South Africa--were conducted. In Study 1 (n=128), face and content validity were evaluated, and an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed. In Study 2 (n=132), a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and external validity was investigated. In both samples, the PSEP was found to possess good internal consistency reliability with relatively high factor loadings on a single component. Although the findings in this report represent preliminary validation evidence, it can be concluded that the PSEP is a valid, reliable and sensitive measure of 11th grade students' perceptions of their ability to construct a proof and may serve as a meaningful outcome in mathematical proof research and classroom proof education. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2022 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1322866 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | It is widely recognized that students encounter difficulties with proof across all grades and beyond, yet standardized instruments related specifically to students' perceived self-efficacy for mathematical proof have not been readily available. The purpose of this study was to develop and investigate preliminary validity evidence for a new instrument for measuring self-efficacy for mathematical proof that can be of importance to the field. The new Perceived Self-Efficacy for Proof (PSEP) questionnaire is a self-administered, 8-item questionnaire that quantifies experimentation, conjecturing, inductive reasoning, justification, and validation. To validate the PSEP, two studies with 260 eleventh grade students--recruited from three Dinaledi schools in EThekwini metropolitan area, South Africa--were conducted. In Study 1 (n=128), face and content validity were evaluated, and an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed. In Study 2 (n=132), a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and external validity was investigated. In both samples, the PSEP was found to possess good internal consistency reliability with relatively high factor loadings on a single component. Although the findings in this report represent preliminary validation evidence, it can be concluded that the PSEP is a valid, reliable and sensitive measure of 11th grade students' perceptions of their ability to construct a proof and may serve as a meaningful outcome in mathematical proof research and classroom proof education. |
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| ISSN: | 2503-3697 |