Adaptation Study of the Ecological Literacy Scale for Middle School Students

Year 2024, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 135 - 163, 31.12.2024

Kevser Arslan , Asli Görgülü Arı

https://doi.org/10.59409/ojer.1574560

Abstract

The aim of this study is to adapt the Ecological Literacy Scale developed by Ha, Huang, Zhang, and Dong (2021) into Turkish and conduct validity and reliability analyses. During the Turkish adaptation phase, both Turkish translation and English back-translation of the scale were performed by language experts to ensure linguistic equivalence. Language equivalences of the scale to be adapted were tested, adjustments were made based on expert opinions, and linguistic and stylistic controls were ensured. The scale, after a pilot application, was administered to 515 middle school students from different grade levels who were identified as the study group. The study data were analyzed using statistical software. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted on the data collected for the Ecological Literacy Scale. Following the analyses, a structure consisting of five subscales and 30 items was obtained. It was revealed that the factor loadings of the scale were at a very high level. The 5-factor structure of the scale was confirmed, and it was found that the fit indices were acceptable and showed excellent fit. The Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient for the entire scale was calculated and determined to be 0.834. As a result of the study, a 5-point likert type "Ecological Literacy Scale" consisting of 5 factors and 30 items was adapted into Turkish. The adapted Ecological Literacy Scale was found to be a valid and reliable tool suitable for middle school students. A measurement tool that researchers and educators can benefit from has been added to the literature.

Keywords

Environmental education, ecological literacy, validity, reliability

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