The Causal Factors Influencing Science Achievement of Prathom Suksa 6 Students under the Office of Ubon Ratchathani Primary Educational Service Area office 2

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the model of causal factors and influences of these factors toward Science achievement of Prathom Suksa 6 students. The sample consisted of 352 Prathom Suksa 6 students in the academic year 2014 from the school under the Ubon Ratchathani Primary Educational Service Area office 2, The instruments were two tests consisted of Science achievement and aptitude test which the reliability values of each test were 0.82 and 0.71, and the confirmatory factor analysis revealed factor loadings ranging from 0.34 to 1.69, and four questionnaires were also administered to measure four aspects : attitude toward Science learning, motivation, learning intention and self – esteem aspects which the reliability values of each questionnaire ranged from 0.88 to 0.91,  and the confirmatory factor analysis revealed the factor loadings ranging  from 0.77 to 1.08. The data were analyzed by the Path Analysis through computer program.

The research findings were as follows :

The model of causal factors among attitude toward Science learning, motivation, background knowledge, learning intention and self – esteem and Science achievement was conformity with an empirical data.  All six causal factors accounted for 44% of the variance of Science achievement. The factor directly influencing science achievement was background knowledge.  The factor directly and indirectly influencing Science achievement was learning aptitude.  Which it was direct and indirect influence to Science achievement through background knowledge.  As for achievement motivation, attitude toward science learning, learning intention, and self-esteem were not influence to Science achievement.