Abstract
This research was conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Scientific Imagination Test (SIT) using the Rasch Measurement Model. SIT is a set of questions developed by the researchers based on the Integrated Engineering Design Process with Scientific Imagination Model. SIT was developed to evaluate the scientific imagination constructs among the tenth graders. SIT is a test consisted of two main open-ended subjective questions and 14 sub-items. Students’ scientific imagination was assessed based on the three stages of scientific imagination namely initiation, dynamic adjustment and virtual implementation; which consisted of four basic constructs respectively: brainstorming, association, transformation and elaboration, and conceptualization/organization/formation. The sample consisted of 65 Tenth Grade students aged 16 years old from two secondary schools in a district in Sabah, Malaysia. Overall, the findings showed that SIT has a very high reliability with Cronbach’s alpha (KR-20) value of 0.92. The findings also showed that SIT has excellent item reliability of 0.97 with separation value of 5.30. SIT also has a very good respondent reliability of 0.92 with separation value of 3.40. Meanwhile, the assessment on the item fit, respondent fit and unidimensionality established the construct validity of the SIT instrument. In conclusion, the findings indicate that the SIT instrument is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the scientific imagination of tenth graders.
Highlights
Imagination, creativity and innovation are concepts that build upon each other; where imagination from the arts or sciences is engaged through creativity and turns into innovative ideas
The values for the respondent and item separation were interpreted as good and satisfactory, and this is supported by Linacre (2003) who stated that a good separation value for item difficulty is appropriate if the respondent separation value is higher than 2.00
The analysis from Rasch Measurement Model (RMM) indicates that the Scientific Imagination Test (SIT) instrument had a very high value for Cronbach‟s alpha (KR-20) (0.92), very good respondent reliability (0.92), and excellent item reliability (0.97)
Summary
Imagination, creativity and innovation are concepts that build upon each other; where imagination from the arts or sciences is engaged through creativity and turns into innovative ideas. Through the power of imagination, individuals can discover new ideas, images or sensations through a combination of their experiences. Imagination is seen as a creative activity in line with scientific concepts. According to Wang, Ho, and Cheng (2015) scientific imagination is a mental activity that involves generation of new ideas that are consistent with scientific principles and related to the everyday life experiences. Given the importance of imagination in the pursuit of new ideas for problem solving and creation, school science curriculum begins to pay special attention to the scientific imagination. According to McCormack (2010) science education today is an excellent platform to emphasize imagination and innovation.
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