Exploratory factor analysis of STEM’s subjective task value and expectation for success scale

This pilot study addresses the concerning trend of high-achieving students opting out of STEM courses, despite their capabilities and interests. Understanding the factors influencing this decision is crucial for enhancing STEM education and retention rates globally. This research is relevant as it validates the constructs of STEM subjective task value (STV) and STEM expectation for success (EFS), which are significant contributors to this phenomenon. We employed a purposive sampling approach, collecting data from 111 high-performing students enrolled in a public university in Malaysia. The study utilized Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to establish reliable measures for the STV and EFS constructs, using a 10-interval scale for item responses. Data analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS version 28.0, applying the Principal Component extraction method with Varimax Rotation. We also performed Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity and assessed sampling adequacy using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure. The reliability of the retained items was tested using Cronbach’s alpha. Our findings confirmed the validity and reliability of the instruments, retaining nine items for STEM subjective value and six for STEM expectation for success. This study provides a validated framework for measuring STV and EFS among high achievers in STEM, informing strategies to encourage greater enrollment in these fields.

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