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Research and Evaluation Instruments

The Science Process Skills Inventory

Arnold, M. E., & Bourdeau, V. D. (2009). The Science Process Skills Inventory (SPSI). Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University 4-H Youth Development.

The inventory consists of eleven items, each representing a different skill in the science inquiry process. Youth are prompted to respond to each statement using a 4-point Likert scale indicating how often they practice each of the items when doing science: Never (1), sometimes (2), usually (3), and always (4). Recommended scoring of the SPSI is the calculation of a composite science process skills score. This is calculated by summing the individual ratings for each item. The score range for the composite score is 11-44.

Psychometric Testing Information

  1. Principle component analysis using a promax rotation indicated consistency with a single factor solution for the scale.
  2. Cronbach’s Alpha calculated pre-program/post-program with middle schools students attending a two-week residential summer science camp in 2007 and 2008 at Oregon State University (n = 106) revealed coefficients of .84 and .94 respectively. Split-half reliability (Spearman-Brown) was .93

    3. The 4-H Inquiry Model- Matching Science Inquiry with Experiential Learning

    The Positive Youth Development Inventory

Arnold, M. E., & Meinhold, J. L.. (2008). The Positive Youth Development Inventory (PYDI). Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University 4-H Youth Development.

The Positive Youth Development Inventory is a collection of 58 likert scale items, in six separate scales designed to measure:

  1. Competence (14 items; score range 14 to 56)
  2. Character (11 items; score range 11 to 44)
  3. Connection (9 items; score range 9 to 36)
  4. Caring (8 items; score range 8 to 32)
  5. Contribution (7 items; score range 7 to 28)
  6. Confidence (9 items; score range 9 to 36)

Each item is rated on four-point scale: (1) Srongly disagree; (2) Disagree; (3) Agree; and (4) Strong agree. The score range for the inventory is 58 to232. The scale is reccomended for use with students ages 12-18.

Psychometric Testing Information (August 2008)

Preliminary scale development was completed in early 2008. The first psychometric testing of the scales will be done with 48 middle school students in August  (two-week test-retest).