A diagnostic Environmental Knowledge Scale for Latin America / Escala diagnóstica de conocimientos ambientales para Latinoamérica

Abstract

In this paper we present a new scale for the assessment of environmental knowledge in the Latin American Region (EKLA) based on the Rasch model. The scale was validated within two Latin American samples (Argentina, N = 168 and Colombia, N = 130). Comparing the level of environmental knowledge in both countries, the general prevalence of environmental knowledge was higher in the Argentinean sample. Nevertheless, some specific items were easier for the Colombian sample. As the EKLA scale considers the different item difficulties in the respective countries, it gives indications for cultural and geographical factors that have an influence on environmental knowledge. The scale can further be used to inform practitioners and policymakers about relevant environmental knowledge gaps. For the samples in both countries a relationship of environmental knowledge with ecological behaviour was found.