The development and use of an instrument to measure willingness to seek help from peers and teachers when studying college mathematics

Abstract

As part of a three-phase study, 18 items were developed to measure aspects of a student’s willingness to seek help from and/or work with peers and teachers when studying college mathematics. In the first phase, 24 items were developed and administered to 165 undergraduate college students. During the second phase, 20 items, modified from the first instrument, were completed by a sample of 314 undergraduate college students. The sample was randomly divided in half and principal factor analysis with varimax rotation was performed on the first half. Two factors emerged and were interpreted as: Willingness to Work with Students (nine items); and Willingness to Seek Help from Teachers (nine items). Based on the results of the exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the second half of the sample. Coefficient α estimates were calculated to assess internal consistency. In the third phase, the final 18-item survey was given to 140 undergraduate college students and confirmatory factor analysis was again performed based on the results of the exploratory factor analysis from Phase II. Recommendations for future uses of these scales are given.