@article{article_1516700, title={Adapting and Validating a Differentiated Cognitive Load Scale in the Turkish Context}, journal={Educational Academic Research}, pages={130–138}, year={2025}, DOI={10.33418/education.1516700}, author={Kapıcı, Hasan Ozgur and Akçay, Hakan}, keywords={Cognitive load theory, scale adaptation, intrinsic cognitive load, extraneous cognitive load, germane cognitive load}, abstract={This study aimed to adapt and validate the Cognitive Load Scale developed by Klepsch and colleagues (2017) into Turkish, focusing on its three core components: extraneous, intrinsic, and germane cognitive load. Although cognitive load theory is widely referenced in educational research and instructional design, instruments that distinguish between these cognitive load types are limited in the Turkish context. To address this gap, an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach was employed. In the qualitative phase, expert reviews and a pilot implementation with 23 students were used to assess linguistic clarity and cultural relevance. In the quantitative phase, data were collected from 191 seventh-grade students from six public schools. The translated 7-item scale underwent both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, which confirmed a three-factor structure consistent with the original. Internal consistency values for each subscale were within acceptable limits. The adapted scale was also reviewed for content and face validity by a panel of experts in science education, educational measurement, and linguistics. The results indicate that the Turkish version of the scale is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring differentiated cognitive load. This tool can be effectively utilized in multimedia and technology-supported learning environments, supporting researchers and instructional designers in developing more cognitively aligned instructional materials. The study contributes to the cross-cultural validation of cognitive load theory and provides an important resource for Turkish educational researchers.}, number={59}, publisher={Ataturk University}