DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF AN INSTRUMENT MEASURING ANXIETY TOWARD BIOLOGY LABORATORY CLASSES AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

University students' achievements in biology laboratory do not depend only on cognitive variables, but also on non-cognitive variables such as anxiety levels. The aim of this study was to develop a measurement tool assessing the anxiety levels of university students in a biology laboratory class. In this study, the Biology Laboratory Anxiety Scale (B-LAS) consisting of 15 items was developed, and analysed its validity and reliability. All items are positively worded to indicate increased anxiety. The sample consisted of 685 science teacher candidates (450 female and 235 male) who take Biology and/or Biology laboratory classes at three different Faculties of Education. The validity of the scale was first assessed by expert review. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to assess structural validity, and revealed a one-dimensional structure. The loading values of all 15 items varied between 0.61 and 0.80, and explained 53% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of internal consistency was calculated as 0.93 and the split-half test correlation was 0.85. According to these results B-LAS can be used as a valid and reliable instrument in science education.