March 2016 Vol.4 No.3

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Aengsutha S
Santiboon T

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Original Research Article

Associations between Chemistry Laboratory Classroom Inventories toward Science Related Attitudes and Learning Achievements of Students at the Eleventh-Grade Level

Supranee Aengsutha, Wandee Rakrai, Panwilai Chomchid and Toansakul Santiboon*

Master of Science Education Program, Faculty of Education, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, 44000, Thailand

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: bbangsuta@gmail.com, toansakul335@yahoo.com.au
Tel: +66 9 5664 9625
Fax: +66 43 713 206

Accepted February 21, 2016

Abstract

This study describe a research methodology which was conducted in order to determine students’ perception of chemistry laboratory learning environment school in 18 upper secondary educational students in Mahawichanukul School in Mahasarakham Province, Thailand, and to compare their perceptions regarding actual and preferred perceptions of their chemistry laboratory classes. Students’ perception were measured by using the Science Laboratory Environment Inventory (SLEI) (adapted version from the original of SLEI (Fraser, Giddings and McRobbie, 1993), and associations between students’ perceptions of their attitudes toward their chemistry laboratory classes were assessed by the Test Of Science-Related Attitude (TOCRA) (adapted version from the original of the Test Of Science-Related Attitude (TOSRA) (Fraser, 1981). Analysis of findings found that these instruments were translated into Thai language for administrating research methodology. Statistically significant differences were found between the students’ perceptions of their actual and preferred chemistry laboratory environment inventory of their attitude towards their chemistry laboratory classes also were found. These factors were analyzed to appear to be affecting student perceptions of their responses to their research instruments. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients for the scales was 0.88 while confirmatory factor loading analyzes were provided to support for the theoretical framework behind the questionnaire (0.33-0.92 omitted). The multiple correlations R2 is significant for the CLEI and considered associations with the TOSRA, and value indicates that 41% of the variance in students’ attitude was also determined. Suggestion that the SLEI could be used as either a predictor or an outcome variable depending upon the research questions being asked. It may also be a useful evaluation tool to test a new type of laboratory course, the SLEI could be used to see not only what students would prefer in the course, but also to see how they felt about the course after it was implemented in chemistry.

Keyword: Actual and preferred forms, the Science Laboratory Environment Inventory (SLEI), the Test of Science-Related Attitude (TOSRA), science laboratory classroom learning environment, and student perception.