The Perceptions of Science Classes Survey: What Undergraduate Science Reform Efforts Really Need to Address

Nine-hundred twenty two undergraduates completed an 80-item survey that assessed their perceptions of undergraduate science classes. Factor analysis of the items yielded 6 factors: (1) Pedagogical Strategies, (2) Faculty Interest in Teaching, (3) Student Interest and Perceived Competence in Science,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of educational psychology 2001-03, Vol.93 (1), p.199-210
Main Authors: Kardash, CarolAnne M, Wallace, Michael L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Changes
College Science
College Students
Construct Validity
Educational Change
Educational psychology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Higher Education
Human
Human Sex Differences
Male
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Pupil and student. Academic achievement and failure
Science Education
Science Instruction
Student Attitudes
Surveys
Teacher Effectiveness
Teaching Methods
Test Construction
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Students
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Summary:Nine-hundred twenty two undergraduates completed an 80-item survey that assessed their perceptions of undergraduate science classes. Factor analysis of the items yielded 6 factors: (1) Pedagogical Strategies, (2) Faculty Interest in Teaching, (3) Student Interest and Perceived Competence in Science, (4) Passive Learning, (5) Grades as Feedback, and (6) Laboratory Experiences. Women differed significantly from men on the Pedagogical Strategies, Passive Learning, Grades as Feedback, and Laboratory Experiences factors. Correlational analyses and evidence from distinct groups supported the survey's construct validity. Students reported room for improvement of the science faculty's pedagogical practices. From the students' perspective, how information is taught appears to be at least as much of a concern as what information is taught.
ISSN:0022-0663
1939-2176
DOI:10.1037/0022-0663.93.1.199