Gender fairness in self-efficacy? A Rasch-based validity study of the General Academic Self-efficacy scale (GASE)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Gender fairness in self-efficacy? A Rasch-based validity study of the General Academic Self-efficacy scale (GASE)

AU - Nielsen, Tine

AU - Dammeyer, Jesper

AU - Vang, Maria Louison

AU - Makransky, Guido

PY - 2018/8/20

Y1 - 2018/8/20

N2 - Studies have reported gender differences in academic self-efficacy. However, how and if academic self-efficacy questionnaires are gender-biased has not been psychometrically investigated. The psychometric properties of a general version of The Physics Self-Efficacy Questionnaire – the General Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (GASE) – were analyzed using Rasch measurement models, with data from 1018 Danish university students (psychology and technical), focusing on gender invariance and the sufficiency of the score. The short 4-item GASE scale was found to be essentially objective and construct valid and satisfactorily reliable, though differential item functioning was found relative to gender and academic discipline, and can be used to assess students’ general academic self-efficacy. Research on gender and self-efficacy needs to take gender into account and equate scores appropriately for unbiased analysis within academic disciplines.

AB - Studies have reported gender differences in academic self-efficacy. However, how and if academic self-efficacy questionnaires are gender-biased has not been psychometrically investigated. The psychometric properties of a general version of The Physics Self-Efficacy Questionnaire – the General Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (GASE) – were analyzed using Rasch measurement models, with data from 1018 Danish university students (psychology and technical), focusing on gender invariance and the sufficiency of the score. The short 4-item GASE scale was found to be essentially objective and construct valid and satisfactorily reliable, though differential item functioning was found relative to gender and academic discipline, and can be used to assess students’ general academic self-efficacy. Research on gender and self-efficacy needs to take gender into account and equate scores appropriately for unbiased analysis within academic disciplines.

KW - DIF

KW - Gender bias

KW - general academic self-efficacy

KW - higher education

U2 - 10.1080/00313831.2017.1306796

DO - 10.1080/00313831.2017.1306796

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0031-3831

VL - 62

SP - 664

EP - 681

JO - Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research

JF - Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research

IS - 5

ER -