Validation of Existing Arabic Language Reading Knowledge Instrument (SPSAMBA): Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)

Noorazi Bin Rani, Harun Baharudin, Mohd Isa Hamzah

doi:10.17762/pae.v58i1.1123

Abstract

This study aimed to review the Existing Arabic Language Reading Knowledge Instrument (SPSAMBA). A total of 150 trainee teachers in the field of Islamic Education and Arabic at the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) were involved as respondents in this pilot study. Data analysis was descriptive using Alpha Cronbach reliability and factor exploration analysis (EFA) using SPSS software version 25. The results of the analysis found that the value of Alpha Cronbach obtained between 0.945-0.949 and the overall index value is 0.949. Results from the EFA showed five existing knowledge factors with Eigenvalues each exceeding 1.0. The existing knowledge construct had a KMO Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy value of 0.858> 0.5. It proved that the items were sufficient for inter-correlation and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity (BToS) test was significant (Chi-Square 2157.699, p <0.05), the anti-image value (Measure of Sampling Adequacy - MSA) for item correlation exceeded 0.5 with all items accepted and the total variance value explained by the five factors was 61.97 per cent. The overall findings recorded that the items for the existing knowledge instruments could measure and answer the objectives of the study.

Highlights

Learning a foreign language is an essential ingredient in the world of education
Due to the lack of instruments that could be used in the context of Arabic as a foreign language in Malaysia, this study attempted to test the questionnaire developed for that purpose
At the same time, existing knowledge of procedures involves the integration of knowledge and application of knowledge (Hailikari 2009). Based on these theories and models, this study developed a questionnaire instrument by taking into account the elements found in Arabic as well as the elements of language in the context of Arabic as a foreign language

Summary

Introduction

Learning a foreign language is an essential ingredient in the world of education. The development of studies related to language skills has been explored for a long time and is continuously evolving. A review of the literature found that the skills that often attract researchers are reading skills. It is because reading skills become the material for conveying information from informants to recipients of t information using only the medium of writing (Giovanelli & Mason 2018). Issues related to the effectiveness of reading skills are still debated, especially involving readers and reading materials. Various factors influence reading ability, including interest, reading motivation, language proficiency www.psychologyandeducation.net and reader knowledge (Dahlia 2011). Research related to one of the factors influencing reading ability that is the reader’s existing knowledge in the context of Arabic as a foreign language was administered. Due to the lack of instruments that could be used in the context of Arabic as a foreign language in Malaysia, this study attempted to test the questionnaire developed for that purpose

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion