Investigation of self efficacy beliefs of high school students in microscope usage

The aim of this study is to identify and compare the levels of general self-efficacy perceptions and self-efficacy beliefs of high-school-students in microscope usage. In addition, it intends to search for the effects of their personal characteristics on general self-efficacy levels and self-efficacy beliefs of the students in microscope usage. The sample of the research consists of 712 students in 9th and 10th classes of in Nallıhan district of Ankara province, in 2012-2013 academic year. Descriptive survey method was utilized in the study. Personal Information Form, General Self-Efficacy Scale and Scale of Self-Efficacy Belief in Microscope Usage were employed in the study. Data analysis was utulised by using SPSS 17.0 program, frequencies, percentages, mean scores, t-test, correlation and analysis of variance. According to the findings, it is deduced that general self-efficacy perceptions of high school students are at medium level. Significant differences can be observed between general self-efficacy level and school type, educational discipline and academic performance. Self-efficacy beliefs of high-school-students related to microscope usage tend to be low. While these beliefs are meaningful correlations with sex, class, school type, educational discipline, existence of biology laboratory in school and its equipments, existence of light microscope and number of light microscope per capita. Positive correlation at low level has been detected between general self-efficacy levels of high-school-students and their self-efficacy levels related to microscope usage. It is thought that the results obtained from the research will contribute to the studies devoted to improve the usage of microscope by high-school-students at biology lessons.