A statistical approach to quantitative data validation focused on the assessment of students' perceptions about biotechnology

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Maria João Fonseca (Author) Other; Patrício Costa (Author) FPCEUP; Leonor Lencastre (Author) FPCEUP; Fernando Tavares (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: SpringerPlus

Vol. 2 No. 1

Pages: 1-13

ISSN: 2193-1801

Publisher: Springer Science+Business Media

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 10 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-GC2

DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-496

Abstract (EN): Student awareness levels are frequently used to evaluate the effectiveness of educational policies to promote scientific literacy. Over the last years several studies have been developed to assess students' perceptions towards science and technology, which usually rely on quantitative methods to achieve broad characterizations, and obtain quantifiable and comparable data. Although the usefulness of this information depends on its validity and reliability, validation is frequently neglected by researchers with limited background in statistics. In this context, we propose a guideline to implement a statistical approach to questionnaire validation, combining exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis. The work focuses on the psychometric analysis of data provided by a questionnaire assessing 1196 elementary and high school students' perceptions about biotechnology. Procedural guidelines to enhance the efficiency of quantitative inquiry surveys are given, by discussing essential methodological aspects and relevant criteria to integrate theory into practice. © 2013 Fonseca et al.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13