SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SES AS PREDICTORSA Statistical Analysis

Michael O’NealKelly Grillo

Ya-Chi Chien Dennis Robinson

and Angel Lopez

University of Central Florida

Can Self-Confidence and Socioeconomic Status Predict Science Achievement?

The purpose of this study was to use data from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2007 to examine a sample of American eighth-grade students to predict science achievement (Item Response Theory scale score) in the Cognitive Domain of Science Reasoning (CDSR).

Research Questions

What is the predicted CDSR score for students when controlling for their level of self-confidence and school population socioeconomic status (percentage of students classified as economically disadvantaged)

Is there a significant difference in CDSR score based on level of self-confidence and school population socioeconomic status

Is there an interaction between level of self-confidence and school population socioeconomic status?

Operational Definitions

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2007

(TIMSS)Item Response Theory Scale Score

(IRT)Index of Students’ Self-Confidence in Learning Science

(SCS)Cognitive Domain Science Reasoning

(CDSR)Percentage Socioeconomic disadvantage

(PSED)

Literature ReviewThe Nation’s Report Card: Science 2005 reports only 29% of eighth grade students performed at the proficient level.

Grigg, Lauko, & Brockway (2006)

Self-confidence is significant predictor of students’ academic performance Tavani and Losh (2003)

Meta-analysis of 74 studies published between 1990 and 2000, found a medium to strong relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and academic achievement

Sirin (2005)

Teachers who integrate higher order thinking strategies into their instruction develop critical thinking strategies in their students, boosting self-confidence.

Miri (2007)

Method

Subjects: A stratified random sample of 400 American, Grade Eight, Students who participated in TIMSS 2007

Measurement: TIMSS 2007 Questionnaires

To ensure both validity and reliability TIMSS has multiple means for ensuring quality: field testing, test-retest, pilot testing….

Indentifying the Variables:

IV:1. Student self-confidence2. PSED

DV:Computed mean of 5 Plausible Values Cognitive Domain Science ReasoningCDSR

Statistical Procedures

Two-Way ANOVADifference

Dependent VariableInterval/ratio level

2 or more independent variables1. Student self-confidence2. PSED

Multiple RegressionRelationship

2 or More Variables1. SCS2. PSED

Results

CDSR’ = 645.21 – 23.26(PSED) – 29.12(SCS)

Interpretation of…

Effect Size:PSED .15SCS .11

Implications:Self-confidence in learning science

mattersHigher SCS = Higher CDSR

Future Research:Experimental DesignEsteem Boosting Interventions

Conclusion