How Multidimensional is Computational Thinking Competency? A Bi-Factor Model of the Computational Thinking Challenge

Computational thinking (CT) is an emerging and multifaceted competence important to the computing era. However, despite growing consensus that CT a domain, its theoretical empirical account remain scarce in current literature. To address this issue, rigorous psychometric evaluation procedures were adopted investigate structure of competency, as measured by Thinking Challenge (Lai, 2021a), large sample 1,130 British secondary school students ( M age = 14.14 years, SD 1.45). Based on model comparison from exploratory multidimensional item response theory approach, results supported operationalization competency. A confirmatory bi-factor further suggested competency comprised general factor two specific factors for programming non-programming problem-solving. Despite multidimensionality, common variance largely explained primary thus use single scale score recommended. Psychometric indicated good properties assessment tool. Overall, provides useful approach investigating serves robust test validation