A SCALE STUDY TO DETERMINE THE NATURE DEFICIENCY LEVEL OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

The Nature Deficit Scale developed in this context consists of 54 items. The Nature Deficit Scale consists of two subscales with 27 items each. One of the subscales is named as Nature Deficit Behavior Subscale and the other is named as Nature Deficit Thought Subscale. The secondary school students on whom research is being conducted are those studying in Nevşehir in the 2020–2021 academic year. 409 students studying in various high schools in Nevşehir were included in the study. The grade levels students attend are grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. Scope, appearance and construct validity studies were carried out to ensure the validity of the scale. In order to ensure reliability, the internal consistency coefficient was investigated. After the exploratory factor analysis was performed, the scale took its final form. The Cronbach’s Alpha internal consistency coefficient of the entire prepared Nature Deficit Scale was determined as 0.94. Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient was 0.86 for the Nature Deprivation Behavior Subscale and 0.95 for the Nature Deprivation Thought Subscale. Because of these results, a Nature Deficit Scale that other researchers can safely apply has been obtained. In addition, suggestions about the scale are presented.

Keywords

• secondary education
• scale development
• nature deficit (deprivation)
• nature education.