Abstract
At a time where scientifically literate citizens are needed to make informed decisions about global issues, the importance of science education cannot be overstated. Due to the wide array of stakeholders, perspectives and goals it can be challenging to find consistent trends across the literature. The Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument A (STEBI-A) has proven to be a valid and reliable measure of teachers’ science teaching efficacy beliefs for over 25 years. The purpose of this chapter is to consolidate the body of STEBI-A literature through a structured review of the methods and findings in this area of science education research. A total of 107 articles and dissertations were deemed to have used the STEBI-A instrument and were subsequently included in the analyses. The findings showed that the instrument has been employed in varied research designs across 15 different national contexts to provide valuable insights into the nature, growth and cross-variable relationships of teachers’ science teaching efficacy beliefs. Analysis of interventions that were assessed via the STEBI-A showed professionally relevant, resource rich science programs could enhance the personal science teaching efficacy beliefs of in-service teachers across a multitude of contexts. Teachers often expressed cynical views as their personal science teaching efficacy scores were higher than their general science teaching outcome expectancies. Improving teachers’ science teaching outcome expectancies should be an aim for future research. More implications are discussed within the chapter.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Albion, P. R., & Spence, K. G. (2013). Primary connections in a provincial queensland school system: relationships to science teaching self-efficacy and practices. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 8(3), 501–520.
Andersen, A. M., Dragsted, S., Evans, R. H., & Sørensen, H. (2004). The relationship between changes in teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs and the science teaching environment of danish first-year elementary teachers. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 15(1), 25–38.
Angle, J., & Moseley, C. (2009). Science teacher efficacy and outcome expectancy as predictors of students’ End-of-Instruction (EOI) Biology I test scores. School Science and Mathematics, 109(8), 473–483.
Azer, S. A. (2001). Problem-based learning. Saudi Medical Journal, 22(4), 299–305.
Batiza, A. F., Gruhl, M., Zhang, B., Harrington, T., Roberts, M., LaFlamme, D., & Nelson, D. (2013). The effects of the SUN project on teacher knowledge and self-efficacy regarding energy transfer are significant and long-lasting: Results of a randomised controlled trial. CBE-Life Sciences Education, 12(2), 287–305.
Britton, P. S. (2013). Middle level science: A mixed-methodology study of the impact of the Pennsylvania system of school assessment (PSSA) on curriculum and instruction (Doctoral dissertation, Indiana University of Pennsylvania).
Burton, L. D. (1996). How teachers teach: Seventh- and eighth-grade science instruction in the USA. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the National Science Teachers Association, St. Louis, MO.
Buyuktaskapu, S. (2010). Examination of pre-school teachers’ beliefs about science education. The International Journal of Research in Teacher Education, 1, 14–25.
Clark, I. (2009). An analysis of the relationship between K-5 elementary school teachers’ perceptions of principal instructional leadership and their science teaching efficacy (Doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota).
Desouza, J. M. S., Boone, W. J., & Yilmaz, O. (2004). A study of science teaching self-efficacy and outcome expectancy beliefs of teachers in India. Science Education, 88(6), 837–854.
Duran, E., Ballone-Duran, L., Haney, J., & Beltyukova, S. (2009). The impact of a professional development program integrating informal science education on early childhood teachers’ self-efficacy and beliefs about inquiry-based science teaching. Journal of Elementary Science Education, 21(4), 53–70.
Duran, E., Ballone‐Duran, L., & Haney, J. (2010). Project ASTER III: A model for teacher professional development integrating science museum exhibits with state and national science education content standards. Curator: The Museum Journal, 53(4), 437–449.
Edelson, D. C., Gordin, D. N., & Pea, R. D. (1999). Addressing the challenges of inquiry-based learning through technology and curriculum design. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 8(3–4), 391–450.
Ellins, K. K., Snow, E., Olson, H. C., Stocks, E., Willis, M., Olson, J., & Odell, M. R. (2013). The Texas Earth and Space Science (TXESS) revolution: A model for the delivery of Earth Science professional development to minority-serving teachers. Journal of Geoscience Education, 61(2), 187–201.
Enochs, L. G., & Riggs, I. M. (1990). Further development of an elementary science teaching efficacy belief instrument: A preservice elementary scale. School Science and Mathematics, 90(8), 694–706.
Ertmer, P. A., Schlosser, S., Clase, K., & Adedokun, O. (2014). The grand challenge: Helping Teachers learn/teach cutting-edge science via a PBL approach. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning, 8(1), 1–17.
Eshach, H. (2003). Inquiry-events as a tool for changing science teaching efficacy belief of kindergarten and elementary school teachers. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 12(4), 495–501.
Fathi-Azar, E. (2002). Elementary teachers’ science self efficacy beliefs in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran. Journal of Science and Mathematics Education in Southeast Asia, 25(1), 95–106.
Finson, K. D., Beaver, J. B., & Hall, L. (1992). Peer mentorship program in scientific literacy for rural elementary teachers. Journal of Elementary Science Education, 4(2), 35–48.
Fishman, B., Konstantopoulos, S., Kubitskey, B. W., Vath, R., Park, G., Johnson, H., & Edelson, D. C. (2013). Comparing the impact of online and face-to-face professional development in the context of curriculum implementation. Journal of Teacher Education, 64(5), 426–438.
Ginns, I.S., & Watters, J. (1996) Experiences of novice teachers: Change in self-efficacy and their beliefs about teaching. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New York, 8–12 April, ERIC Document Reproduction Service, ED 400 243.
Ginns, I. S., & Watters, J. J. (1999). Beginning elementary school teachers and the effective teaching of science. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 10(4), 287–313.
Gosselin, D., Thomas, J., Redmond, A., Larson-Miller, C., Yendra, S., Bonnstetter, R., & Slater, T. (2010). Laboratory earth: A model of online K-12 teacher coursework. Journal of Geoscience Education, 58(4), 203–213.
Green, J. L., Camilli, G., & Elmore, P. B. (Eds.). (2006). Handbook of complementary methods in education research. Routledge.
Haney, J. J., Wang, J., Keil, C., & Zoffel, J. (2007). Enhancing teachers’ beliefs and practices through problem-based learning focused on pertinent issues of environmental health science. The Journal of Environmental Education, 38(4), 25–33.
Hodgin, C. M. (2014). Science teaching anxiety: The impact of beliefs on teacher preferences of instructional strategies (Doctoral dissertation, University of Texas).
Holbert, K. E., Molyneaux, K., Grable, L. L., & Dixon, P. (2011). Multi-university precollege outreach from a renewable energy focused Engineering Research Center. In Proceedings of ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 1–7 retrieved from http://fie-conference.org/fie2011/papers/1083.pdf
Holden, M. E., Groulx, J., Bloom, M. A., & Weinburgh, M. H. (2011). Assessing teacher self-efficacy through an outdoor professional development experience. Electronic Journal of Science Education, 15(2), 1–25.
Kahn, P., & O’Rourke, K. (2005). Understanding enquiry-based learning. In T. Barrett, I. M. Labhrainn & H. Fallon (Eds.), Handbook of Enquiry- and Problem- based learning: Irish case studies and international perspectives (pp. 1–12). Dublin: Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, NUI Galway and All Ireland Society for Higher Education (AISHE).
Kean, W. F., & Enochs, L. G. (2001). Urban field geology for K-8 teachers. Journal of Geoscience Education, 49(4), 358–363.
Kervin, L., Wilma, V., Herrington, J., & Okely, T. (2006). Research for educators. Melbourne: Cengage learning Australia.
Khourey-Bowers, C., & Fenk, C. (2009). Influence of constructivist professional development on chemistry content knowledge and scientific model development. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 20(5), 437–457.
Kuchey, D., Morrison, J. Q., & Geer, C. H. (2009). A professional development model for math and science educators in Catholic elementary schools: Challenges and successes. Catholic Education: A Journal of Inquiry and Practice, 12(4), 475–497.
Lardy, C. H. (2011). Personal science teaching efficacy and the beliefs and practices of elementary teachers related to science instruction (Doctoral Dissertation, University of California at San Diego).
Lawrance, G. A., & Palmer, D. A. (2003). Clever teachers, clever sciences: Preparing teachers for the challenge of teaching science, mathematics and technology in 21st Century Australia. Canberra: Australian Government, Department of Education, Science and Training: Research Analysis and Evaluation Group.
Lekhu, M. A. (2013). Relationship between self-efficacy beliefs of science teachers and their confidence in content knowledge. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 23(1), 109–112.
Liu, C. J., Jack, B. M., & Chiu, H. L. (2008). Taiwan elementary teachers’ views of science teaching self-efficacy and outcome expectations. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 6(1), 19–35.
Lockman, A. S. (2006). Changes in teacher efficacy and beliefs during a one-year teacher preparation program (Doctoral dissertation, The Ohio State University).
Lucero, M., Valcke, M., & Schellens, T. (2013). Teachers’ beliefs and self-reported use of inquiry in science education in public primary schools. International Journal of Science Education, 35(8), 1407–1423.
McConnell, T. J., Lundeberg, M. A., Koehler, M. J., Urban-Lurain, M., Zhang, T., Mikeska, J., & Eberhardt, J., et al. (2008). Video-based teacher reflection—What is the real effect on reflections of inservice teachers? Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Science Teacher Education, St. Louis, MO.
McKinnon, M., Moussa-Inaty, J., & Barza, L. (2014). Science teaching self-efficacy of culturally foreign teachers: A baseline study in Abu Dhabi. International Journal of Educational Research, 66, 78–89.
Mentzer, G. A., Czerniak, C. M., & Struble, J. L. (2014). Utilizing program theory and contribution analysis to evaluate the development of science teacher leaders. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 42(1), 100–108.
Mulholland, J., Dorman, J. P., & Odgers, B. M. (2004). Assessment of science teaching efficacy of preservice teachers in an Australian university. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 15(4), 313–331.
Nadelson, L. S., Callahan, J., Pyke, P., Hay, A., Dance, M., & Pfiester, J. (2013). Teacher STEM perception and preparation: Inquiry-based STEM professional development for elementary teachers. The Journal of Educational Research, 106(2), 157–168.
Nafziger, K. M. (2008). Particulate nature of matter, self-efficacy, and pedagogical content knowledge: Case studies in inquiry (Doctoral dissertation, Miami University).
Naizer, G., Bell, G. L., West, K., & Chambers, S. (2003). Inquiry science professional development combined with a science summer camp for immediate application. Journal of Elementary Science Education, 15(2), 31–37.
Nelson, D. (2006). Effect of a Concentrated In-service Elementary Teacher Force and Motion Workshop (Masters thesis, The University of Maine).
Ogbomo, Q. O. (2010). Science museums, centers and professional development: Teachers self reflection on improving their practice (Doctoral dissertation, Indiana State University).
Palmer, D. (2011). Sources of efficacy information in an inservice program for elementary teachers. Science Education, 95(4), 577–600.
Pinnell, M., Rowly, J., Preiss, S., Franco, S., Blust, R., & Beach, R. (2013). Bridging the gap between engineering design and PK-12 curriculum development through the use the STEM education quality framework. Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, 14(4), 28.
Posnanski, T. J. (2002). Professional development programs for elementary science teachers: An analysis of teacher self-efficacy beliefs and a professional development model. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 13(2), 189–220.
Ramey-Gassert, L., Shroyer, M. G., & Staver, J. R. (1996). A qualitative study of factors influencing science teaching self-efficacy of elementary level teachers. Science Education, 80(3), 283–315.
Riggs, I. M., & Enochs, L. G. (1990). Toward the development of an elementary teacher’s science teaching efficacy belief instrument. Science Education, 74(6), 625–637.
Roberts, J. K., Henson, R. K., Tharp, B. Z., & Moreno, N. P. (2001). An examination of change in teacher self-efficacy beliefs in science education based on the duration of inservice activities. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 12(3), 199–213.
Rudman, N., & Webb, P. (2009). Self-efficacy and the recognition of prior learning. Africa Education Review, 6(2), 283–294.
Saint, H. H. (2013). Personality and science training as predictors of science teaching efficacy beliefs (Doctoral dissertation, Liberty University).
Saka, Y. (2007). Exploring the interaction of personal and contextual factors during the induction period of science teachers and how this interaction shapes their enactment of science reform (Doctoral dissertation, Florida State University).
Saka, Y., Southerland, S. A., & Golden, B. (2009). Describing the effects of research experiences for teachers attitudes and beliefs: Examining science teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs, beliefs of reformed-science teaching, attitudes and pedagogical discontentment. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA.
Saam, J., Boone, W. J., & Chase, V. (1999). A snapshot of upper elementary and middle School science teachers’ self-efficacy and outcome expectancy. Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science, Austin, TX.
Sandholtz, J. H., & Ringstaff, C. (2011). Reversing the downward spiral of science instruction in K-2 classrooms. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 22(6), 513–533.
Sandholtz, J. H., & Ringstaff, C. (2014). Inspiring instructional change in elementary school science: The relationship between enhanced self-efficacy and teacher practices. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 25(6), 729–751.
Sang, G., Valcke, M., van Braak, J., Zhu, C., Tondeur, J., & Yu, K. (2012). Challenging science teachers’ beliefs and practices through a video-case-based intervention in China’s primary schools. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 40(4), 363–378.
Schmidt, D. L., Saigo, B. W., & Stepans, J. I. (2006). Conceptual change model: The CCM handbook. Saiwood Publications.
Settlage, J., Southerland, S. A., Smith, L. K., & Ceglie, R. (2009). Constructing a doubt-free teaching self: Self-efficacy, teacher identity, and science instruction within diverse settings. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 46, 102–125.
Shea, L. M., Shanahan, T. B., Gomez-Zwiep, S., & Straits, W. (2013). Using science as a context for language learning: Impact and implications from two professional development programs. Electronic Journal of Science Education, 16(2), 1–29.
Shin, T. S., Koehler, M. J., Lundeberg, M. A., Zhang, M., Eberhardt, J., Zhang, T., & Paik, S. (2010). The impact of problem-based learning professional development on science teachers’ self-efficacy and their teaching practices. Paper presented at the Annual meeting of American Educational Research Association, Denver, CO.
Shroyer, M. G., Wright, E. L., & Ramey-Gassert, L. (1996). An innovative model for collaborative reform in elementary school science teaching. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 7(3), 151–168.
Slavin, R. (1991). Synthesis of research on cooperative learning. Educational Leadership, 48(5), 71–82.
Suter, W. N. (2006). Introduction to educational research: A Critical thinking approach. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Taylor, B. K. (2005). Analysis of environmental and general science efficacy among instructors with contrasting class ethnicity distributions: A four dimensional assessment (Doctoral dissertation, Oklahoma State University).
Thomas, J., Ivey, T., & Puckette, J. (2013). Where is earth science? Mining for opportunities in chemistry, physics, and biology. Journal of Geoscience Education, 61(1), 113–119.
Ulmer, J. D., Velez, J. J., Lambert, M. D., Thompson, G. W., Burris, S., & Witt, P. A. (2013). Exploring science teaching efficacy of CASE curriculum teachers: A post-then-pre assessment. What a Degree in Agricultural Leadership Really Means: Exploring Student Conceptualizations, 54(4), 121–133.
Urquhart, M. L., & Bober, K. M. (2006, February). The impact of teacher quality grants on long-term professional development of physical science teachers. Paper present at the 2005 Physics Education Research Conference, 818, 27–30.
Velthuis, C. (2014). Collaborative curriculum design to increase science teaching self-efficacy (Doctoral dissertation, University of Twente, Enschede).
Vygotsky, L. (1977). The development of higher psychological functions. Soviet Psychology, 16(1), 60–73.
Watters, J. J., & Ginns, I. S. (1997). An in-depth study of a teacher engaged in an innovative primary science trial professional development project. Research in Science Education, 27(1), 51–69.
Wingfield, M. E., Freeman, L., & Ramsey, J. (2000). Science teaching self-efficacy of first year elementary teachers trained in a site based program. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting for the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, New Orleans, LA.
Yang, C., Noh, T., Scharmann, L. C., & Kang, S. (2014). A study on the elementary school teachers’ awareness of students’ alternative conceptions about change of states and dissolution. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 23(3), 683–698.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Deehan, J. (2017). A Review of the Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument A: In-service Teachers. In: The Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instruments (STEBI A and B). SpringerBriefs in Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42465-1_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42465-1_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-42464-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-42465-1
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)