Validity of measures of math- and science-related self-efficacy for African Americans and European Americans

The present study examined the reliability and validity of three measures o f investigative (science) self-efficacy, a measure of self-efficacy with re spect to scientific/technical fields (STF), and mathematics self-efficacy. Also, it addressed the question of whether or not; these measures were psyc hometrically sound and normatively comparable with African Americans and Eu ropean Americans. Among other findings, all measures were found to be relia ble in both racial groups, and all but the STF were found to be related to each other as well as to a criterion of consideration of majors and careers in the sciences. Although validity was comparable for African Americans an d European Americans as groups, there was some tendency for relationships o f self-efficacy to science relatedness of choices to be strongest among Afr ican American women. There were significant gender differences in math and science self-efficacy tin favor of males), but no significant race differen ces. The STF, used originally with students who had already tentatively sel ected majors in science and engineering, yielded nearly bimodal score range s in these unselected samples (both African Americans and European American s), suggesting its use may be inappropriate with unselected samples of coll ege students. Recommendations for use of these measures in both further res earch and to evaluate the effectiveness of efficacy-based interventions are reported.