Construction and Validation of a Scale of Research Anxiety for Students

The aim of this study was to design and validate a scale of research anxiety for students at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.
The correlation method was used in this study. The population consisted of MA students at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in the academic year 2014-15. The prepared scales were analyzed in two stages: preliminary and final stages. In the preliminary stage, the scale was implemented on 100 students selected via convenient sampling, and in the final stage, the tool was implemented on 400 students selected via quota sampling method based on gender and field of study. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.
The results showed that the factor analysis using varimax rotation supported only one factor, and 40 items were selected on each phrase for at least 0.3 loadings. The validity of the scale was obtained with the help of the judgment of experts, convergent-divergent validity, and factor analysis. Scale converging-diverging validity done of correlation with the Spielberger State-Trait anxiety (STAI) and Cooper Smith self-esteem. The results showed negative relation (- 63.0) between self-esteem and research anxiety and a strong positive correlation (0.650) between Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety and research anxiety. Scale reliability was 0.87 via Cronbach's alpha and 0.76 via re-test after seven days.
The results showed that research anxiety scale has acceptable reliability and validity and can be used for a variety of applications.