Table 1 Construct reliability and validity

Nature of Mathematics (NM)

0.71

0.82

0.53

 NM 1. Mathematics is a field of manipulating numbers and symbols

0.86

0.64

 NM 2. Mathematics is important in real life

0.88

0.68

 NM 5. Mathematics provides a foundation for applied sciences

0.87

0.83

 NM 6. Mathematics enables people to understand the world better

1.04

0.76

Attitude towards mathematics (AM)

0.90

0.93

0.72

 AM 1. I have been doing well in mathematics exams

1.19

0.85

 AM 2. I have been interested in mathematics, since I was little

1.18

0.87

 AM 3. I like mathematics

1.24

0.90

 AM 4. I do not hate mathematics classes

1.17

0.83

 AM 5. I think mathematics is a useful subject and is worth learning

1.07

0.79