Design, development and validation of a model of problem solving for Egyptian Science classes

Educators and policymakers envision the future of education in Egypt as enabling learners to acquire scientific inquiry and problem-solving skills. In this article, we describe the validation of a model for problem solving and the design of instruments for evaluating new teaching methods in Egyptian...

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Main Authors: Shahat, M., Ohle, A., Treagust, David, Fischer, H.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Springer Netherlands 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/23758
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author Shahat, M.
Ohle, A.
Treagust, David
Fischer, H.
author_facet Shahat, M.
Ohle, A.
Treagust, David
Fischer, H.
author_sort Shahat, M.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Educators and policymakers envision the future of education in Egypt as enabling learners to acquire scientific inquiry and problem-solving skills. In this article, we describe the validation of a model for problem solving and the design of instruments for evaluating new teaching methods in Egyptian science classes. The instruments were based on an established model for problem solving and were designed to assess seventh grade students’ problem solving, experimental strategy knowledge, achievement and motivation towards science. The test for assessing students’ knowledge has been developed based on the topic, density and buoyancy which will be taught in seventh grade in a later intervention study. The instruments were partly self-developed and partly adapted from newly performed studies on strategy knowledge and problem solving in Germany. All instruments were translated into Arabic; the translation process and quality control are described. In order to determine the quality of the instruments, 44 students in Egypt completed the questionnaires and tests. The study’s aim to develop and validate the instruments did require an ad hoc and typical sample which was drawn from an accessible population. Accordingly, the characteristics of the sample are described. Data were analysed according to the classical test theory, but to underpin the results, the instruments were additionally analysed using the even stronger Rasch model. The findings demonstrated the reliability of the items and aspects of validity. In addition, this study showed how test items can be successfully developed and adapted in an international study and applied in a different language.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-237582019-02-19T05:35:06Z Design, development and validation of a model of problem solving for Egyptian Science classes Shahat, M. Ohle, A. Treagust, David Fischer, H. scientific inquiry validity strategy knowledge reliability motivation problem solving Educators and policymakers envision the future of education in Egypt as enabling learners to acquire scientific inquiry and problem-solving skills. In this article, we describe the validation of a model for problem solving and the design of instruments for evaluating new teaching methods in Egyptian science classes. The instruments were based on an established model for problem solving and were designed to assess seventh grade students’ problem solving, experimental strategy knowledge, achievement and motivation towards science. The test for assessing students’ knowledge has been developed based on the topic, density and buoyancy which will be taught in seventh grade in a later intervention study. The instruments were partly self-developed and partly adapted from newly performed studies on strategy knowledge and problem solving in Germany. All instruments were translated into Arabic; the translation process and quality control are described. In order to determine the quality of the instruments, 44 students in Egypt completed the questionnaires and tests. The study’s aim to develop and validate the instruments did require an ad hoc and typical sample which was drawn from an accessible population. Accordingly, the characteristics of the sample are described. Data were analysed according to the classical test theory, but to underpin the results, the instruments were additionally analysed using the even stronger Rasch model. The findings demonstrated the reliability of the items and aspects of validity. In addition, this study showed how test items can be successfully developed and adapted in an international study and applied in a different language. 2013 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/23758 10.1007/s10763-012-9367-7 Springer Netherlands fulltext
spellingShingle scientific inquiry
validity
strategy knowledge
reliability
motivation
problem solving
Shahat, M.
Ohle, A.
Treagust, David
Fischer, H.
Design, development and validation of a model of problem solving for Egyptian Science classes
title Design, development and validation of a model of problem solving for Egyptian Science classes
title_full Design, development and validation of a model of problem solving for Egyptian Science classes
title_fullStr Design, development and validation of a model of problem solving for Egyptian Science classes
title_full_unstemmed Design, development and validation of a model of problem solving for Egyptian Science classes
title_short Design, development and validation of a model of problem solving for Egyptian Science classes
title_sort design, development and validation of a model of problem solving for egyptian science classes
topic scientific inquiry
validity
strategy knowledge
reliability
motivation
problem solving
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/23758