Analysis of Cross-Cultural Comparability of PISA 2012 Student Questionnaire

Analysis of Cross-Cultural Comparability of PISA 2012 Student Questionnaire

Gozde Sirganci Department of Measurment and Assesment, Bozok University, Yozgat,Turkey

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a large-scale cross-national study that measures academic competences of 15-year old students. According to PISA outcomes, countries compare their results and educational system is regulated. However, in order to compare results obtained from different groups one must first be sure that the tests measure the same competences in all cultures. Assessing the measurement invariance across countries is an important step in determining valid conclusions, comparisons across countries. For this purpose, in this study, cross- cultural equivalence of PISA 2012 Student Questionnaire was assessed across Turkey and Finland samples. Parameter comparison method based on Item Response Theory approach (IRT) and Mean and Covariance Structures (MACS) based on structural equation modeling were used in order to determine whether the questionnaire items exhibit differential item functioning (DIF) across different

cultures. LİSREL 8.72 programs for MACS analyses and IRTPRO3 for Parameter comparison methods was used. MACS results showed that the factor loadings were found to be invariant for Turkey and Finland groups however it was seen in the DIF results that some items was functioning

differentially between comparison groups. Results obtained from both methods revealed similarly. However, It is suggested that measurement equivalence studies must be examined by using both IRT and SEM methods deu to the advantages and disadvantages of these methods.

Keywords: measurement equivalence, PISA, differential item functioning, cross-cultural research

The impact of Turkish television programs as a factor of social violence on the behaviors

of young people.

Fazilet Ahu Özmen Akalın Yeditepe University, Department of Sociology, Istanbul, Turkey

Social violence and aggression are considered as a human tragedy in contemporary societies. Aggressive behaviors have become frequent within Turkish youth as within other youths. According to social psychologists, several factors can be the causes of social behaviors: personal causes, socio- cultural factors, environmental and situational factors. The exposure of an individual to media violence can be interpreted as a cause of aggression. Some television programs in Turkey draw the attention of young people, the young people take part in these programs to be famous and earn money. These programs become the area of violence and aggression and the young which take part in these programs begin to present aggressive behaviors. But another important point is that these programs have an important potential of spectator especially young spectators. The young people which follow these programs remain under the influence of the behaviors of competitors and imitate them. In spite of certain critics, these programs continue to be diffused and to be the most preferred programs by the young people.

Programs such as “İşte Benim Stilim”, “Göz6”, which contain violent effects followed by an important mass of youth attract the attention of the young people and some persons which take part in theses

programs become a hero for these young. Specially, the style of speaking, addressing, using of Turkish language is criticized and it is thought that it constitutes a bad example of attitude for the young people. Social psychologists emphasize the importance of the third phase of socialization which is