Analysis on Mathematics Grit Scale and its Gender-based DIF

Yuan-Horng Lin; Ching-Lin Shih

Yuan-Horng Lin
Ching-Lin Shih

Abstract

The purpose of this study aims to analyze the factors structure, item characteristics as well as gender-based differential item functioning (DIF) of mathematics grit scale (Math-Grit scale). Issue of grit is one branch of positive psychology and most literatures show that grit is domain-general latent. On the other hand, quite a few literatures confirm grit is also school-specific latent which means the grit construct exists in specific disciplines. Therefore, it is feasible to develop Math-Grit scale and explore its factors structure and item characteristics. Besides, little is known about the gender-based DIF phenomenon as to the Math-Grit scale. The researchers develop the Math-Grit scale which consists of two dimensions of eight items. They are consistency of interest and perseverance of effort respectively. The subject comes from 1142 elementary school pupils. Results show the Math-Grit scale has well-defined validity and its reliability is acceptable. The item mean difficulty of all eight items in the instrument are met the criterion of fitness. The infit MNSQ and t statistic are fitted well and these two dimensions are moderately high correlated. Both subscales also have satisfactorily reliability. Moreover, the mean latent trait differences on these two dimensions for pupils of different gender are not significant, which means there is not DIF so that male and female are comparable on both subscales. Based on the findings, some suggestions for future studies and mathematics affect are discussed.

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