Proposing A Conceptual Model To Explain Middle School Students' Energy Use Intentions

Year 2023, Volume: 23 Issue: 2, 177 - 198, 29.12.2023

Gülçin Demirbağ Dilber Polat

https://doi.org/10.53629/sakaefd.1362948

Abstract

This study aims to conduct an in-depth investigation of the intentions toward renewable energy use among 813 middle school students attending three different public schools in the province of Bursa, Turkey, within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior. The research proposed a model consisting of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and intention components, and tests the validity of this model through Structural Equation Modeling. A multidimensional 'Intention Toward Renewable Energy Use Scale' was designed to measure intentions and its validity was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The analysis results indicated that the developed scale has high validity and reliability coefficients. Structural Equation Modeling techniques were employed to examine the relationships between the components of the proposed model. The findings revealed that the students' attitude and perceived behavioral control variables positively predict intentions toward renewable energy use. However, the results also indicated that another critical component of this model, subjective norms, does not have a significant impact on intentions toward renewable energy use. These outcomes suggest that, particularly in a social and cultural context specific to the middle school student population, components of the Theory of Planned Behavior might display a different impact profile. These insights could guide important policy and educational practices, especially in Turkey where socio-cultural factors may play a crucial role in shaping behavior and intentions.

Keywords

Theory of Planned Behavior, Renewable Energy, Structural Equation Modeling

Ortaokul Öğrencilerinin Enerji Kullanım Niyetlerini Açıklamaya Yönelik Kavramsal Bir Modelin Geliştirilmesi

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Bursa ilinde üç farklı devlet okulunda öğrenim görmekte olan 813 ortaokul öğrencisinin yenilenebilir enerji kullanımına yönelik niyetlerini planlanmış davranış teorisi çerçevesinde derinlemesine incelemeyi hedeflemektedir. Araştırmada, tutum, öznel norm, algılanan davranış kontrolü ve niyet bileşenlerinden oluşan bir model önerilmiş ve bu modelin geçerliliği yapısal eşitlik modellemesi kullanılarak test edilmiştir. Yenilenebilir enerji kullanımına yönelik niyeti ölçmek amacıyla çok boyutlu bir 'Yenilenebilir Enerji Kullanımına Yönelik Niyet Ölçeği' tasarlanmış ve bu ölçeğin geçerliliği doğrulayıcı faktör analizi ile test edilmiştir. Analiz sonuçları, tasarlanan ölçeğin yüksek geçerlilik ve güvenirlik katsayılarına sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Önerilen modelin bileşenleri arasındaki ilişkileri incelemek için yapısal eşitlik modellemesi teknikleri kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, öğrencilerin yenilenebilir enerji kullanımına yönelik tutum ve algılanan davranış kontrolü değişkenlerinin niyeti pozitif bir şekilde yordadığını göstermektedir. Ancak, bu modelin bir diğer kritik bileşeni olan öznel normların, yenilenebilir enerji kullanımına yönelik niyet üzerinde anlamlı bir etkisinin olmadığını ortaya koymaktadır. Bu sonuçlar, özellikle ortaokul öğrenci popülasyonuna özgü bir sosyal ve kültürel bağlamda, planlanmış davranış teorisi bileşenlerinin farklı bir etki profili sergileyebileceğini işaret etmektedir. Sonuçlar göz önüne alınarak farklı faktörlerin etkisini daha kapsamlı bir şekilde değerlendirmek için etik inançlar, bilgi seviyesi, faklı coğrafik bölgelere ve sosyoekonomik durum gibi değişkenler de araştırmalara dâhil edilerek benzer araştırmaların yapılması önerilebilir.

Keywords

Planlanmış davranış teorisi, yenilenebilir enerji, yapısal eşitlik modellemesi

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