Validity of Measures of Math- and Science-Related Self-Efficacy for African Americans and European Americans

Abstract

The present study examined the reliability and validity of three measures of investigative (science) self-efficacy, a measure of self- efficacy with respect to scientific/technical fields (STF), and mathematics self-efficacy. Also, it addressed the question of whether or not these measures were psychometrically sound and normatively comparable with African Americans and European Americans. Among other findings, all measures were found to be reliable in both racial groups, and all but the STF were found to be related to each other as well as to a criterion of consideration of majors and careers in the sciences. Although validity was comparable for African Americans and European Americans as groups, there was some tendency for relationships of self-efficacy to science relatedness of choices to be strongest among African American women. There were significant gender differences in math and science self-efficacy (in favor of males), but no significant race differences. The STF, used originally with students who had already tentatively selected majors in science and engineering, yielded nearly bimodal score ranges in these unselected samples (both African Americans and European Americans), suggesting its use may be inappropriate with unselected samples of college students. Recommendations for use of these measures in both further research and to evaluate the effectiveness of efficacy-based interventions are reported.