title: Boys' and girls' involvement in science learning and their self-efficacy in Taiwan.
abstract: This cross-sectional study investigated the significant differences in students' self-efficacy and their involvement in learning science. Nine hundred and twenty-two elementary school fifth graders, 499 junior high school eighth graders, and 1455 senior or vocational high school eleventh graders completed the students' questionnaire. Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and independent t-tests compared the significant similarities and differences across school levels and genders. The initial findings were as follows: A sharp decline in boys' and girls' self-efficacy scores from elementary to secondary school levels; boys have significantly higher self-efficacy scores than girls at vocational and senior high school levels; students with more involvement in science learning presented significantly higher self-efficacy scores than those with less involvement. The significant discrepancies in terms of gender and age in students' self-efficacy and involvement in learning science need to be addressed. Implications and limitations are provided.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Education, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. a3803429@gmail.com
authors.forename: Zuway-R
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Huann-shyang
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012586:Science / Q000193:education*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D014829:Vocational Education