Development and Initial Validation of the Student Interest and Choice in STEM (SIC-STEM) Survey 2.0 Instrument for Asses
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Development and Initial Validation of the Student Interest and Choice in STEM (SIC-STEM) Survey 2.0 Instrument for Assessment of the Social Cognitive Career Theory Constructs Sarah A. Roller 1 & Sandra A. Lampley 1 & Monica L. Dillihunt 1 Matthew W. Turner 2 & Andrew M. Davis 2
&
Michael P. J. Benfield 2 & Sampson E. Gholston 3 &
# Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract In response to a growing need for STEM professionals, this study reports the results of the initial validation of a refined survey instrument that purports to measure the five constructs of the social cognitive career theory framework within the subjects of mathematics, science, engineering and technology. To investigate the instrument’s reliability and psychometric properties, we administered this 45-item survey to students in grades 4–12. Reliability and validity (content and construct) were assessed using Cronbach’s coefficient alphas and structural equation modeling. Path coefficients for the five constructs indicated weak to moderate influences on the subscales, and the goodness-of-fit indices demonstrated that the model is acceptable. Initial results indicate the survey has the potential to collect reliable and valid data and suggest the instrument may be helpful in measuring students’ interests and choices in STEM careers for research, partnerships, and curricular development. Additionally, results highlight two areas for further investigation, which include the impact conscientious or random responders have on the survey’s psychometric properties and what constitutes satisfactory Cronbach’s alpha for results to be interpreted in a significant way. Keywords STEM education . Instrument design . Instrument validation . Social cognitive career theory
Introduction In this age of rising global competition, proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines is viewed as being increasingly essential in today’s workforce. STEM workers propel innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas, new companies, and new industries (Noonan 2017). Globally, employers are faced with the task of recruiting more individuals into STEM industries (Marginson et al. 2013). Many countries are not producing the amount of STEM professionals that are needed in order to
* Sarah A. Roller [email protected] 1
Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
2
Systems Management and Production Center, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
3
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
meet the workforce demands (Wilson et al. 2016). In the USA, STEM occupations have increased by 14% since 2008, while other occupations have grown only 1.7% (Noonan 2017). It is projected that the USA will need approximately one million more STEM professionals than it will produce over the next decade to meet this growing demand (The President’s Council of Advisors on Science a
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