An Analysis of Ankara Science High School Students' Attitudes Towards Biology and Their Academic Self-Concepts in Terms of Some Family Characteristics

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyse the science high schoolers' attitudes towards biology and their academic self-concepts in relation to (a) maternal educational background, (b) maternal employment status, (c) ) paternal educational background, (d) paternal employment status. The sample includes a total of 322 Ankara Science high school students. The data were collected through the use of an attitude scale with 32-items, an academic self-concepts scale with eight-items and a demographic information form. Alpha coefficients of two instruments are found to be 0.98 and 0.81, respectively. The findings obtained show that neither mothers' educational background nor their employment status has effects on the subjects' attitudes towards biology and on their academic self-concept. It was also found that fathers' educational background as well as their occupational status does not have any impacts on the participants' attitudes towards biology and on their academic self-concepts.