Description
An attitudinal survey (also known as an affective survey) can provide information on student perceptions (emotions, feeling, attitudes) of their classroom experience. For example it can reveal perceptions on:
the content of a course
specific components of a course
course components which aid or are detrimental to learning
the effects of course innovations
Attitudinal surveys may also focus on students' needs in taking a course, how well those needs are met, student interest in or appreciation for the subject matter or field, student confidence in their ability to perform in a course, or their beliefs about the nature of the discipline itself, e.g.
the nature of a discipline (chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering)
the nature of learning within a discipline
their ability to learn within a course
useful strategies for learning within a course or discipline
their own learning style or preferences for learning
Figure 1: Sample statements from an attitudinal survey on students' learning:
Please use the 7-point scale to indicate your agreement or disagreement with each statement. Record all responses on your Scantron form.
ORGANIZATION
SD
D
N
A
SA
NA
Don't Know
LAB
8
Often in lab I didn't understand the concept behind the lab experiment.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
I like labs where I get to help design an experiment to answer a question.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
10
This course provided opportunities for me to help design experiments to answer a question.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
11
It was clear how the lab experiments fit into this course.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
12
Doing labs in this class was like following a recipe in a cookbook.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
13
The lab manual for this course was well-written (easy to understand).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Assuming that all the following activities are equally well-implemented, I learn well by ...
SD
D
N
A
SA
NA
Don't Know
33
doing homework assignments.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
34
using diagrams and other visual media.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
35
using computer-based materials.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
36
reading a (good) textbook.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
37
working with my lab partner.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
38
getting good help / tutorial aid.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
39
doing hands-on activities.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
40
listening to lecture.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
45
completing lab notebooks or lab reports.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
46
reading and re-reading materials.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I know I understand when ...
49
I can work problems in the book.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
50
I can apply ideas to new situations.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
51
I get a good grade on an exam.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
52
I can explain the ideas to someone else.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
53
I can see how concepts relate to one another.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
SD = Strongly Disagree; D = Disagree; N = Neutral; A = Agree; SA = Strongly Agree; NA = Not Applicable