Factor analysis on energy saving knowledge among primary school students in Malaysia: A case study in Batang Padang district, Perak

Abstract

This article verified the key elements for the determinants of students’ knowledge in sustainable practices of energy saving. This study involved 423 students from ten primary schools in Batang Padang district, Perak, Malaysia. A five-level Likert scale was used as an instrument to record the responses. Overall, the questionnaire achieved reliability, with Cronbach alpha values for each variable being greater than 0.7. The data obtained were processed using exploratory factor analysis to observe the factors’ structure of energy saving knowledge. Next, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to validate the pre-determined constructs. The findings from both analyses identified and validated the four key elements of students’ knowledge of sustainable energy conservation practice as: (i) electricity saving; (ii) water saving; (iii) maintaining environmental practice; and (iv) practice of the 3Rs (recycle, reuse and reduce).