Decoding physics identity: a Spanish-language adaptation on an instrument and its correlation with STEM achievement

Abstract The representation of Spanish-speaking students in STEM identity literature, particularly in physics identity, is conspicuously minimal. This study addresses this gap with a two-pronged approach. First, a physics identity instrument was adapted for Spanish-speaking STEM students to promote...

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Main Authors: Omar Israel González Peña, Gustavo Morán-Soto, Blas Manuel Rodriguez-Lara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2024-11-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04112-z
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author Omar Israel González Peña
Gustavo Morán-Soto
Blas Manuel Rodriguez-Lara
author_facet Omar Israel González Peña
Gustavo Morán-Soto
Blas Manuel Rodriguez-Lara
author_sort Omar Israel González Peña
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The representation of Spanish-speaking students in STEM identity literature, particularly in physics identity, is conspicuously minimal. This study addresses this gap with a two-pronged approach. First, a physics identity instrument was adapted for Spanish-speaking STEM students to promote inclusivity in educational research. Data from 334 Mexican STEM students was collected and analysed for validation through factor analyses and Cronbach’s alpha, confirming the structural integrity and reliability of the adapted instrument. Second, the instrument was employed to examine the correlation between physics identity and academic performance in a separate dataset from 200 engineering students, using multivariate linear and logistic regressions. The findings underscore gender’s impact on physics course grades. Notably, variations in physics identity among engineering students indicated a potential link with their chosen field. Despite the importance of physics in engineering, physics identity was lower than expected, and performance in physics courses did not consistently correlate with a strong physics identity. However, the ‘interest in physics topics’ subconstruct did correlate with physics course grades. This research fills a critical void by providing an adapted instrument for assessing physics identity in Spanish-speaking students and underscores the need for pedagogical shifts to enhance physics identity and STEM outcomes for Latino students.
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spelling doaj-art-3fa1a9b69a80472f9eb75d38806bf9a42024-11-24T12:15:20ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922024-11-0111111210.1057/s41599-024-04112-zDecoding physics identity: a Spanish-language adaptation on an instrument and its correlation with STEM achievementOmar Israel González Peña0Gustavo Morán-Soto1Blas Manuel Rodriguez-Lara2Vice-Rectorate of Health Sciences, Universidad de MonterreyDepartment of Basic Sciences, Instituto Tecnológico de Durango, Blvd. Felipe Pescador 1830, Nueva VizcayaUniversidad Politécnica de Pachuca, Carr. Pachuca-Cd. Sahagún Km. 20, Ex Hda. Santa BárbaraAbstract The representation of Spanish-speaking students in STEM identity literature, particularly in physics identity, is conspicuously minimal. This study addresses this gap with a two-pronged approach. First, a physics identity instrument was adapted for Spanish-speaking STEM students to promote inclusivity in educational research. Data from 334 Mexican STEM students was collected and analysed for validation through factor analyses and Cronbach’s alpha, confirming the structural integrity and reliability of the adapted instrument. Second, the instrument was employed to examine the correlation between physics identity and academic performance in a separate dataset from 200 engineering students, using multivariate linear and logistic regressions. The findings underscore gender’s impact on physics course grades. Notably, variations in physics identity among engineering students indicated a potential link with their chosen field. Despite the importance of physics in engineering, physics identity was lower than expected, and performance in physics courses did not consistently correlate with a strong physics identity. However, the ‘interest in physics topics’ subconstruct did correlate with physics course grades. This research fills a critical void by providing an adapted instrument for assessing physics identity in Spanish-speaking students and underscores the need for pedagogical shifts to enhance physics identity and STEM outcomes for Latino students.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04112-z
spellingShingle Omar Israel González Peña
Gustavo Morán-Soto
Blas Manuel Rodriguez-Lara
Decoding physics identity: a Spanish-language adaptation on an instrument and its correlation with STEM achievement
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title Decoding physics identity: a Spanish-language adaptation on an instrument and its correlation with STEM achievement
title_full Decoding physics identity: a Spanish-language adaptation on an instrument and its correlation with STEM achievement
title_fullStr Decoding physics identity: a Spanish-language adaptation on an instrument and its correlation with STEM achievement
title_full_unstemmed Decoding physics identity: a Spanish-language adaptation on an instrument and its correlation with STEM achievement
title_short Decoding physics identity: a Spanish-language adaptation on an instrument and its correlation with STEM achievement
title_sort decoding physics identity a spanish language adaptation on an instrument and its correlation with stem achievement
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04112-z
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