Global Climate Change Awareness Scale for Middle School Students: A Validity and Reliability Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable Likert-type scale to measure the global climate change awareness levels of middle school students. In the study, data were collected from a total of 555 middle school students by convenience sampling method. Data were obtained from 300 students for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and 255 students for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). EFA results led to the development of a 19-item scale consisting of three sub-dimensions: the effects of global climate change, knowledge awareness, and causes. CFA results showed that the model fit values of this three-dimensional structure were acceptable. The validity and reliability analyses of the scale also yielded positive results. The developed scale is considered an effective tool for measuring students’ awareness levels about global climate change.