Development of math efficacy scale for junior high school student in Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesian students are indicated to have a low math efficacy. Currently, no psychology scale has been created to measure the math efficacy of Indonesian students, especially for junior high school level students. This study aims to develop a math efficacy scale for junior high school level students or equivalent based on Indonesian students' characteristics. The study used an exploratory sequential design with mixed methods. The results of qualitative analysis through focused group interviews on two small groups of eight students show that seven major themes were related to mathematics efficacy. Qualitative analysis as the basis for a scale development consisting of 33 items and is administered to 478 participants. The results of the quantitative analysis through validity test with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) shows that four dimensions appeared with total variance explained reaching 60.4%. The model was re-tested for compatibility with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and obtained index values of p < 0.001 (χ2), 0.047 (SRMR), 0.907 (TLI), 0.918 (CFI), and 0.064 (RMSEA). The four dimensions have met the standard of a fit index with 23 items remaining. The validity test was also supported by Pearson's Product Moment correlation of 0.795 for convergent validity test with Math Attitude Scale (MAS) and divergent validity test of -0.331 with Mathematical Self-Efficacy and Anxiety Questionnaire (MSEAQ). The scale's reliability was very good, with Cronbach's alpha value of 0.918.

The Effect of Math Anxiety on Students' Mathematics Performance with The Mediating Role of Math Self-Efficacy

“…Whereas all items in the negative affect dimension are unfavorable items, so the calculation of the score is reversed. The reliability of AUKEMI on positive view was 0.92, the negative effect was 0.83, the math application was 0.79, and learning out of class was 0.72, and the overall reliability was 0.918 (37). The reliability test of the AUKEMI scale, after being administered to the subject, showed a Cronbach's alpha reliability result of α = 0.850.…”

“…The measurement tool for math self-efficacy uses Alat Ukur Efikasi Matematika Indonesia (AUKEMI) (37). AUKEMI consists of 23 items which consist of four dimensions, namely positive views (e.g., "I am confident about my answers when calculating math problems"), negative affect (e.g., "I feel math is a terrifying subject"), math application (e.g., "I am able to calculate and manage the money that I use daily"), and out-of-class learning (e.g., "I have an extra time to study outside of class to learn math").…”

Confirmatory and validation studies on experimental self-efficacy scale with applications to multiple scientific disciplines

“…Unlike other quantifiable variables, self-efficacy is not calculated in an easy way. Self-reported answers to survey questions may generally assess the self-efficacy of a person (Fakhrou and Habib, 2022 ; Huang, 2022 ; Mubarrak et al, 2022 ). In the past, researchers have relied on general, multiple-scale self-efficacy determinants available around the world to gauge academic performances (Multon et al, 1991 ; Tsai et al, 2021 ; Dixon and Ward, 2022 ).…”