Table 2 The frequency distributions of teachers’ responses to the MATE instrument
| Â | Percentages | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Items | SA | A | U | D | SD |
1. Organisms existing today are the result of evolutionary processes that have occurred over millions of years | 44.4 | 31.3 | 3 | 13.1 | 8.1 |
2. The theory of evolution is incapable of being scientifically tested | 6.1 | 13.3 | 30.6 | 30.6 | 19.4 |
3. Modern humans are the product of evolutionary processes that have occurred over millions of years | 28.6 | 29.6 | 7.1 | 20.4 | 14.3 |
4. The theory of evolution is based on speculation and not valid scientific observation and testing | 13.1 | 20.2 | 16.2 | 37.4 | 13.1 |
5. Most scientists accept evolutionary theory to be a scientifically valid theory | 14.3 | 45.9 | 21.4 | 14.3 | 4.1 |
6. The available data are ambiguous (unclear) as to whether evolution actually occurs | 14.3 | 29.6 | 16.3 | 27.6 | 12.2 |
8. There is a significant body of data that supports evolutionary theory | 17.5 | 43.3 | 16.5 | 13.4 | 9.3 |
9. Organisms exist today in essentially the same form in which they always have | 6.2 | 9.3 | 6.2 | 42.3 | 36.1 |
10. Evolution is not a scientifically valid theory | 7.1 | 12.2 | 18.4 | 37.8 | 24.5 |
12. Current evolutionary theory is the result of sound scientific research and methodology | 13.4 | 45.4 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 6.2 |
13. Evolutionary theory generates testable predictions with respect to the characteristics of life | 11.1 | 41.4 | 22.2 | 22.2 | 3 |
14. The theory of evolution cannot be correct since it disagrees with the creation | 10.4 | 11.5 | 21.9 | 30.2 | 26 |
15. Humans exist today in essentially the same form in which they always have | 12.2 | 11.2 | 4.1 | 37.8 | 34.7 |
16. Evolutionary theory is supported by factual historical and laboratory data | 25.3 | 40.4 | 14.1 | 12.1 | 8.1 |
17. Much of the scientific community doubts if evolution occurs | 12.4 | 28.9 | 26.8 | 24.7 | 7.2 |
18. The theory of evolution brings meaning to the diverse characteristics and behaviors observed in living forms | 20.4 | 51 | 11.2 | 9.2 | 8.2 |
19. With few exceptions, organisms on earth came into existence at about the same time | 5.2 | 12.5 | 19.8 | 32.3 | 30.2 |
20. Evolution is a scientifically valid theory | 21.2 | 39.4 | 17.2 | 13.1 | 9.1 |