Teachers' characteristics can significantly influence the quality of student functioning. Yet, there has been little exploration regarding which attributes matter to which outcomes, and for whom, and under what conditions. In this study, we considered four characteristics as perceived by students, namely competence, student-centered instruction,…

Motivation is a central variable in science education research. The Science Motivation Questionnaire II (SMQ II) is an instrument designed to measure student motivation to learn science. Nearly all peer-reviewed studies (n = 26) of the SMQ II have used Classical Test Theory frameworks despite known limitations with this approach. The present study…

Threshold theory predicts a positive correlation between IQ and creativity scores up to an IQ level of 120 and no correlation above this threshold. Primary school children were tested at beginning (N = 98) and ending (N = 70) of the school year. Participants performed the standard progressive matrices (SPM) and the Test of Creative…

The purpose of this study is to examine motivation of science high school students towards learning biology and their attitude towards biology lessons. The sample of the study consists of 564 high school students (308 females, 256 males) studying at two science high schools in Aksaray, Turkey. In the study, the relational scanning method, which is…

Students' self-concept and effort in schoolwork are known to have significant influences on essential academic outcomes, but self-concept and effort may decline as students grow up. Students from 16 schools in Sydney (N = 2200) were asked to rate on two self-concept components (competency and affect) and effort in schoolwork. Based on measures…