652 H.-L. Tuan et al.

Appendix 1: the SMTSL questionnaire

Directions for students
This questionnaire contains statements about your willingness in participating
in this science class. You will be asked to express your agreement on each
statement. There are no “right “ or “wrong” answers. Your opinion is what
is wanted. Think about how well each statement describes your willingness in
International Journal of Science Education 2005.27:639-654. downloaded from www.tandfonline.com

participating in this class.

Draw a circle around
1. if the statement you strong disagree
2. if the statement you disagree
3. if the statement you have no opinion
4. if the statement you agree
5. if the statement you strong agree

Be sure to give an answer for all questions. If you change your mind about an
answer, just cross it out and circle another.

Some statements in this questionnaire are fairly similar to other statements. Don’t
worry about this. Simply give your opinion about all statements.

Your Name ; Teacher’s Name

School ; Grade ;Male Female
Science Class; Biology Physical Science

Strongly No Strongly
A. Self efficacy disagree Disagree opinion Agree agree

1. Whether the science content is difficult or 1 2 3 4 5

easy, I am sure that I can understand it.
2. I am not confident about understanding 1 2 3 4 5
difficult science concepts.()
3. I am sure that I can do well on science 1 2 3 4 5
tests.
4. No matter how much effort I put in, I 1 2 3 4 5
cannot learn science.()
5. When science activities are too difficult, I 1 2 3 4 5
give up or only do the easy parts.()
6. During science activities, I prefer to ask 1 2 3 4 5
other people for the answer rather than
think for myself. ()
7. When I find the science content difficult, I 1 2 3 4 5
do not try to learn it ()
 Students’ motivation towards science learning 653

B. Active learning strategies Strong No Strong

disagree Disagree opinion Agree agree

8. When learning new science 1 2 3 4 5

concepts, I
attempt to understand them.
9. When learning new science 1 2 3 4 5
International Journal of Science Education 2005.27:639-654. downloaded from www.tandfonline.com

concepts, I
connect them to my previous
experiences.
10. When I do not understand a 1 2 3 4 5
science
concept, I find relevant resources
that
will help me.
11. When I do not understand a 1 2 3 4 5
science
concept, I would discuss with the
teacher or other students to clarify
my
understanding.
12. During the learning processes, I 1 2 3 4 5
attempt to make connections
between
the concepts that I learn.
13. When I make a mistake, I try to 1 2 3 4 5
find
out why.
14. When I meet science concepts that 1 2 3 4 5
I
do not understand, I still try to
learn
them.
15. When new science concepts that I 1 2 3 4 5
have learned conflict with my
previous
understanding, I try to understand
why.
C. Science Learning Value Strong Disagree No Agree Strong
disagree opinion agree
16. I think that learning science is 1 2 3 4 5
important because I can use it in
my
daily life.
17. I think that learning science is 1 2 3 4 5
important because it stimulates
my
thinking.
18. In science, I think that it is 1 2 3 4 5
important
to learn to solve problems.
19. In science, I think it is important 1 2 3 4 5
to
participate in inquiry activities.
20. It is important to have the 1 2 3 4 5
opportunity
to satisfy my own curiosity when
 learning science.
D. Performance Goal Strong Disagree No Agree Strong
disagree opinion agree
21. I participate in science courses to get 1 2 3 4 5
a good grade. ()
22. I participate in science courses to 1 2 3 4 5
perform better than other students. ()
 654 H.-L. Tuan et al.

23. I participate in science courses so that 1 2 3 4 5

other students think that I’m smart.
()
24. I participate in science courses so that 1 2 3 4 5
the teacher pays attention to me.()
E. Achievement Goal Strong Disagree No Agree Strong
disagree opinion agree
International Journal of Science Education 2005.27:639-654. downloaded from www.tandfonline.com

25. During a science course, I feel most 1 2 3 4 5

fulfilled when I attain a good score in a
test.
26. I feel most fulfilled when I feel 1 2 3 4 5
confident
about the content in a science course.
27. During a science course, I feel most 1 2 3 4 5
fulfilled when I am able to solve a
difficult
problem.
28. During a science course, I feel most 1 2 3 4 5
fulfilled when the teacher accepts my
ideas.
29. During a science course, I feel most 1 2 3 4 5
fulfilled when other students accept
my
ideas.
F. Learning Environment Stimulation Strong Disagree No Agree Strong
disagree opinion agree
30. I am willing to participate in this 1 2 3 4 5
science
course because the content is exciting
and
changeable.
31. I am willing to participate in this 1 2 3 4 5
science
course because the teacher uses a variety
of
teaching methods.
32. I am willing to participate in this 1 2 3 4 5
science
course because the teacher does not put
a
lot of pressure on me.
33. I am willing to participate in this 1 2 3 4 5
science
course because the teacher pays
attention
to me.
34. I am willing to participate in this 1 2 3 4 5
science
course because it is challenging.
35. I am willing to participate in this 1 2 3 4 5
science
course because the students are involved
in
discussions.

Note: () represent reverse items.