Measuring attitude towards mathematics using Likert scale surveys: The weighted average

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Mathematics Education Research

Background:

• Likert-type instruments for mathematics attitudes often have highly correlated factors, complicating statement assignment.
• Traditional attitude measurement sums scores, neglecting individual item importance within factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To revise and validate methodologies for studying attitudes toward mathematics.
• To propose a new factor estimation method using weighted averages based on item importance.

Main Methods:

• Applied a revised methodology to Auzmendi's mathematics attitude scale.
• Utilized structural equation modeling to determine item importance.
• Estimated attitude factors using both simple and weighted averages.
• Analyzed data from 1293 university students.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were found between simple and weighted average estimations of attitude factors.
• The proposed weighted average method yielded different measurements compared to Auzmendi's original scale organization.
• The revised methodology demonstrated improved instrument validation for mathematics attitude scales.

Conclusions:

• The weighted average approach offers a more nuanced and accurate estimation of mathematics attitude factors.
• Rethinking traditional scoring methods is crucial for precise attitude measurement in educational research.
• This revised methodology enhances the validity and interpretability of mathematics attitude scales.