The development of the image of science and scientists scale

The Image of Science and Scientists Scale was developed to assess students' attitudes toward science. The instrument items are based on the 1957 summaries presented by Margaret Mead and Rhoda Metraux. The reliability of the instrument, using coefficient alpha, ranged from 0.76 in the pilot to 0.86 in the second phase of the study. Construct validity was obtained by comparing a science‐oriented group versus a random sample to determine if the instrument could discriminate between the groups. With IQ controlled, the science group performed significantly higher ( t = 2.58 − p < 0.012). Furthermore, scores in ISSS contributed significantly to the prediction of science grades as determined by multiple regression analysis.