Cognitive and Social Psychological (CoSPy) Profile
of the Malaysian Adolescent
Introduction
Who is the Malaysian adolescent? Much has been mentioned about the Malaysian adolescent based on information from various agencies such as the police, welfare agencies and education authorities. However, most of the information available relates more to statistics relating to juvenile delinquencies, discipline problems, drug abuse, performance in public examinations and so forth. Little is known about the cognitive and psycho-social attributes of the Malaysian adolescent except for small scale studies conducted by graduate students for their dissertations. These studies tend to be confined to the investigation of selected attributes involving small samples of students.
[Project funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology & the Environment Malaysia, IRPA RM-8 (07-02-03-0142 EA142)
The project employs a multistage sample design stratified according to geographic region, school type, location of school, ethnicity and gender and academic ability. The total sample will consist of 2400 students in Form IV with an average age of 16 years. The sample will be stratified to represent the population in each of the 13 states of Malaysia and the 2 Federal Territories.
Population (2000) in Form 4 Sample (0.6%)
398,000 students 2400 students
The 2400 students will be stratified as follows; 120 students per school and assuming a normal distribution in terms of academic performance, the sample drawn from each school will be as follows:
- 30 academic high achievers,
- 60 of average academic ability,
- 30 academic low achievers.
A total of 20 (20 x 120 = 2400 students) secondary schools will be sampled consisting of proportionate number of:
- national secondary schools
- national secondary schools (former mission schools eg. Convents, ACS)
- national secondary school (former Chinese schools eg. Chong Hwa,)
A battery of tests will be developed and administered to the sample of Form 4 students. Each of the instuments
will be pilot-tested to establish objectivity, validity and reliability. The instruments aim to measure the
following:
A) Cognitive Functioning
- general cognitive abilities, language literacy, quantitative abilities, scientific literacy, general knowledge
& current events, metacognitive ability.
B) Social Psychological Attributes
- self-esteem, attitudes towards school/learning, moral judgement, interaction with peers, teachers and
parents, racial tolerance, political attitudes, futures orientation, adolescent problems.
Project Activities
Jan-Dec 2003
Phase 1: Identification of constructs and Development of Instruments
Phase 2: Pilot-Testing of Instruments
Jan-Dec 2004
Phase 3: Design and Printing of Test Instruments
Phase 4: Selection of Sample Schools
Phase 5: Training of Field Assistants
Phase 6: Administration of Instruments
Phase 7: Coding & Analysis of Data
Phase 8: Writing of the Report
Objectives of the Study
Hence, there is need for a large scale project that will investigate the many attributes of the Malaysian adolescent. The aim of the project is to survey the cognitive and psycho-social attributes of the 16 year old student in Malaysian secondary schools. The findings of the study will provide an insight into the abilities, attitudes, perceptions, feelings and opinions of the Malaysian adolescent. The profiling of the the 16 year old will be useful for planners, educationists, legal authorities, welfare agencies, religious institutions, industry, business and parents. Specifically, the study aims to:
a) assess the cognitive and psychosocial attributes of the 16 year old Malaysian adolescent in secondary school
b) identify differences and similarities in cognitive functioning and psychosocial attributes of learners according to
socio-economic status (SES), gender and family relationships.
c) infer probable causes for differences in cognitive functioning and psychosocial attributes
of Malaysian adolescents in the light of political, economic and cultural changes.
