A Study of Validity in Tripartite Model of "Attitudes towards Science" using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses

탐색적 확인적 요인 분석을 통한 "과학에 대한 태도" 3요소 모델의 타당도 연구

The purpose of this study is to construct validity of Tripartite model of "Attitudes towards Science" using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are two major approaches to factor analysis. The primary goal of factor analysis is to explain the covariances or correlations between many observed variables by means of relatively few underlying latent variables. In exploratory factor analysis, the number of latent variables is not determined before the analysis, all latent variables typically influence all observed variables, the measurement errors(${\delta}$) are not allowed to correlate, and unidentification of parameters is common. Confirmatory factor analysis requires a detailed and identified initial model. Confirmatory factor analysis techniques allow relations between latent and observed variables that are not possible with traditional, exploratory factor analysis techniques. As a result of exploratory factor analysis, tripartite model of "Attitudes towards Science" being composed of affection, behavioral intention and cognition is empirically identified. But attitude of science career being composed of affection and behavioral intention is identified. In validity test using confirmatory factor analysis, measurement structure of Tripartite model of "Attitudes towards Science" is not correspondent to data set. Because it is concluded that the object of attitudes are not specific.