Development and validation of a genre-based second language (L2) writing self-efficacy scale

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Applied Linguistics

Background:

• Writing self-efficacy is crucial for L1 and L2 writing success.
• Existing scales often lack task specificity, particularly for second language (L2) writing.
• Addressing genre characteristics in L2 writing self-efficacy measurement is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a genre-based L2 writing self-efficacy scale.
• To enhance the measurement of writing self-efficacy by incorporating task-specific genre features.
• To provide a more accurate assessment tool for L2 writers' confidence.

Main Methods:

• Scale development based on existing writing self-efficacy research.
• Factorial structure analysis using structural equation modeling (SEM).
• Validation through convergent, discriminant (using AVE and CR), and predictive (using regression) analyses.

Main Results:

• The newly developed genre-based L2 writing self-efficacy scale exhibited strong psychometric properties.
• The scale's factorial structure was confirmed via SEM.
• Evidence of convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity was established.

Conclusions:

• The genre-based L2 writing self-efficacy scale is a psychometrically sound instrument.
• This scale offers a more precise measure of L2 writing self-efficacy by accounting for genre.
• Findings have implications for both theory and pedagogy in L2 writing instruction.