Development of a Measurement Instrument for High School Students’ Chemical Science Capital

Abstract

Chemical science capital refers to a collection of resources that create use or exchange value for individuals or groups, supporting and enhancing chemical achievements and engagement in chemistry. Following the general procedures for developing science education measurement instruments and drawing on existing research on science capital, this study constructed an evaluation framework for chemical science capital. The framework comprises four primary dimensions—material capital, social capital, institutional capital, and cultural capital—along with nine secondary dimensions. Based on this framework, a measurement instrument for high school students' chemical science capital was developed. Guided by item response theory (IRT) and the fundamental assumptions of the Rasch model, this instrument underwent pilot testing, quality validation, and revisions, resulting in a robust measurement tool for evaluating high school students' chemical science capital.