THE CAUSAL FACTORS AFFECT SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS OF PRATHOM SUKSA VI STUDENTS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE AREA SERVICE OFFICE NAKHON NAYOK PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the causal factors affecting the science process skills of Prathom Suksa VI students under the jurisdiction of the Area Service Office Nakhon Nayok Province. The samples were 1,133 Prathom Suksa VI students, which were collected by multi-stage sampling. Data collection tools consisted of survey questionnaire rating scales, science process skills test with 4 multiple choice answers, and 5 points rating scales questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS and analyzed causal relationship model by the LISREL 8.72 program.The study found that 1) Factors affecting scientific process skills consisted of self- regulated learning, motivation, attention, attitude towards science by the weight composition of the observed variables that have highest affect on the scientific process skills were motivation and intention, with weight composition of 0.60.        2) Scientific process skills consisted of  observation, measurement, calculation, classification, relationship between space and space, and relationship between space and time with time, communicating , inferring and predicting,  observed by the weight of the composition of the observed variables ranged from 0.09 to 0.42. The highest weight component was calculation skill.   3) Causal relationship model of factors related to science process skills of Prathom Suksa VI students was adjusted to economic model and it was consistent with empirical data. The results of test was 273.73, P-value at 0.000 degree of freedom was 167, /df value was at 1.639, GFI value was at 0.98, AGFI  value was at 0.97, CFI value was at1.00, and RMSEA value was at 0.024. The factors directly affecting science process skills were   latent motivation variable and latent intention variable, and the factors indirectly affecting science process skills  were  attitude toward science through latent motivation variable and  latent intention variable.  Moreover, science process skills latent variables indirectly affecting latent motivation variable and latent intention variable.