Universal Journal of Educational Research Vol. 8(11B), pp. 5749 - 5759
DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2020.082209
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Psychological Traits as Predictors of Science Achievement for Students Participated in TIMSS 2015

Yoon Fah LAY ^1,*, Khar Thoe NG ^2
1 Faculty of Psychology and Education, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
² Research & Development Division, SEAMEO RECSAM, 11700 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

Previous researches found various psychological traits (e.g., emphasis of school on academic success, job satisfaction and challenges faced by teachers as well as sense of belonging among students) could have affected science achievement of students. This study examined the predictive effects of school climate on science achievement among Southeast Asian Grade 8 students participated in Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2015. In this research, school principals’ and science teachers’ reports of school emphasis on academic success, psychological traits such as science teachers’ job satisfaction and challenges faced as well as students’ sense of belonging towards school were analyzed using International Database (IDB) Analyzer. Data were obtained from 9,726 Malaysian students, 6,116 Singaporean students, and 6,482 Thai students who participated in TIMSS 2015. The analysis revealed that school emphasis on academic success as reported by school principals and science teachers in Malaysia and Thailand were significantly associated with and contributed to students’ science achievement. The sense of school belonging of students from Malaysia and Singapore was also significantly associated with and contributed to students’ science achievement. On the contrary, the scores of Thai female students for TIMSS 2015 were significantly higher than their male counterparts. Hence, school administrators should ensure that cognitive and socio-psychological aspects of the implementation of all activities are well taken care of throughout the years to ensure academic success of students.

KEYWORDS
School Climate, IDB Analyzer, Psychological Traits, Science Achievement, TIMSS

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Yoon Fah LAY , Khar Thoe NG , "Psychological Traits as Predictors of Science Achievement for Students Participated in TIMSS 2015," Universal Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 8, No. 11B, pp. 5749 - 5759, 2020. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2020.082209.

(b). APA Format:
Yoon Fah LAY , Khar Thoe NG (2020). Psychological Traits as Predictors of Science Achievement for Students Participated in TIMSS 2015. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(11B), 5749 - 5759. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2020.082209.