Development and validation of the Air Force technical training student survey: Attitudinal correlates of course attrition level and student gender.

Abstract

Abstract : As part of a multiphase study on student attitudes towards Air Force technical training and the relationship between those attitudes and student performance, a data base was established consisting of attitudinal self-report data and course performance measures on 12,666 technical training students. The purpose of this study was to utilize that data base to compare the attitudes of two student subgroups. First, the attitudes of students from high attrition courses were compared to the attitudes of students from low attrition courses to identify those attitudes related to course attrition rate and to compare attitudes related to student performance at different levels of student attrition. A number of significant attitudinal differences were found relating to course attrition level. While some of these differences referred directly to academic issues, other differences appeared to reflect motivational factors. In comparing the attitudinal correlates of performance between students from high and low attrition courses, many similarities were found, but again, differences suggested the importance of motivational factors. Second, the attitudes of male and female students were compared to identify gender-specific attitudes and those attitudes related to performance for men and women.