The Reliability and Construct Validity of Scores on the Attitudes toward Problem Solving Scale.

The Attitudes Toward Problem Solving Scale (ATPSS) has received limited attention concerning its reliability and validity with a Malaysian secondary education population. Developed by Charles, Lester & O’Daffer (1987), the instruments assessed attitudes toward problem solving in areas of Willingness to Engage in Problem Solving Activities, Perseverance During the Problem Solving Process and Self Confidence With Respect to Problem Solving. This study addressed the lack of information about this measure by examining the scale’s reliability and its factorial structure. Subjects were 233 secondary school students. Reliability coefficients of the three subscales and the total score were high, indicating that the scale is stable and reliable in measuring Attitudes Toward Problem Solving. Results from factor analysis imply that the ATPSS measures more of various traits in Malaysian culture.