Differences in motivation for biology learning: A measurement invariance testing and latent mean comparison approach.

ABSTRACT: Educational and psychological research often involves comparing motivation across groups. It is critical to ensure that observed differences in motivation are true variations by group, not due to measurement biases. With a diverse sample of undergraduate students (N = 2200), this study measured internal consistency and gathered validity evidence based on the internal structure of five motivation scales. To compare motivation for biology between groups of undergraduate students, this study tested for measurement scalar invariance by group and, accordingly, conducted latent factor mean comparisons to understand true group differences. On average, female students held lower expectancy beliefs and self-efficacy for biology learning than males. Female students perceived higher attainment value

SUBMITTER: Dai T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12319386 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature