Abstract:

The aim of this study is the adaptation of “Motivation and Self-Regulation Scale” developed by Velayutham, Aldridge, and Fraser (2011) into Turkish. The secondary aim is to determine the relationship between the predictive power of the motivation levels of 8th grade students and their self-regulatory skills in science classes. The research was conducted through the survey method. 1128 students of eighth grade from 14 different schools participated in the study to conduct the validation and reliability of the scale. In addition, data were collected from 1484 students from 14 different schools to determine the relationship among the motivation levels, self-regulation strategies and levels of success in science classes of eighth grade students were by the “Motivation and Self-Regulation” scale adapted into Turkish. The English form of 32 items in 4 sub-dimensions of the “Motivation and Self-regulation Scale” developed by Velayutham, Aldridge and Fraser (2011) was used as a means of data collection in the research. Moreover, English-Turkish Compliance Scaling Form and Turkish Understandability Scaling Form were used. Data were analyzed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Mann Whitney U test and multiple regression analysis. As a result, “Motivation and Self-Regulation Scale” developed by Velayutham, Aldridge and Fraser (2011) as 32 items was adapted into Turkish. The applicability and reliability studies were conducted, and it was found that 25 items of the scale was applicable to and reliable for Turkey in cultural terms. The study revealed that learning goals, task value and self-efficacy besides self-regulation variable, which are the sub-dimensions of motivation had a significant correlation with the student’s success. Moreover, learning goals, task value and self-efficacy, which are the sub-dimensions of motivation, were found to be significantly correlated to the level of self-regulatory skills.

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