Psychometric properties of a physical self-efficacy perception scale in the light of cognitive social theory

Abstract

The present study aimed at investigating the psychometric properties of an established instrument for assessing students' perception of self-efficacy about their performance in high school physics (Ricardo, 2014), given the importance of such a perception to the success of the teaching and learning process. Measurements of descriptors and distractors were estimated (TRI) from the Item Response Theory and validation tests based on their internal structure were performed. The relevant test results showed that the instrument's division into three original factors was not adequate, reducing them to a single factor. They also showed that a number of items of the instrument had to be removed to improve its adequacy This work shows that Ricardo's instrument can be turned into a strongly validated tool to adequately raise perceptions of self-efficacy of the students. However, due to some contingencies of the application of the instrument, mainly that of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is suggested to carry out further studies that aim to improve even more the psychometric properties of the test.

Keywords

• Self-efficacy
• Psychometric properties
• Instrument
• Students
• Item response theory