Scientific Literacy Skills and Attitudinal Profile of Freshmen SAM Students in Universidad de Zamboanga

Abstract

This study assessed the scientific literacy skills and attitudes toward science of freshmen students in the School of Allied Medicine at Universidad de Zamboanga. It focused on three core dimensions of scientific literacy: explaining scientific phenomena, interpreting data and evidence, and evaluating scientific inquiry. The study also examined the relationship between scientific literacy and attitude toward science, as well as differences across sex and academic program. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was employed, with data collected from 263 purposively selected students and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicated that the respondents possessed generally high levels of scientific literacy and favorable attitudes toward science. A significant positive relationship was found between scientific literacy and attitude toward science, suggesting that students with stronger scientific literacy also tend to hold more positive views toward science. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in scientific literacy and attitudes toward science when grouped according to sex and academic program. The study provides empirical evidence that may inform curriculum development, instructional improvement, and intervention planning aimed at strengthening scientific literacy and sustaining positive engagement with science among allied medicine students.