Abstract
This study examined the factor structure of a 12-item Self-Confidence in Teaching Scale. Two samples of teacher candidates participated: 1,176 students (80% females) entering a teacher preparation program and 861 candidates (77% females) completing their final semester in the program. Even though the scale was deliberately designed to assess candidates' self-confidence in executing 12 distinct teaching roles (as confirmed by a panel of judges), principal axis factor analyses yielded only one factor with an eigenvalue greater than 1.0. Also, similar patterns of factor loadings were found across all subsample contrasts that were considered (e.g., females vs. males; entry-vs. exit-level candidates). These results suggest that the measure of self-confidence in teaching considered in this investigation is a unidimensional rather than a multidimensional scale.
Recommended Citation
Kalaian, Hripsime A.; Freeman, Donald J.; and Houang, Richard T.
(1994)
"Is Self-Confidence in Teaching Multidimensional or Unidimensional? An Exploratory Study,"
Mid-Western Educational Researcher: Vol. 7:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/mwer/vol7/iss1/2
