Development and Preliminary Validation of CHEM-LENS: A Diagnostic Instrument for Identifying Senior High School Chemistry Learning Needs

Instructional planning in Senior High School chemistry is frequently informed by summative assessment outcomes, which offer limited diagnostic insight into students’ topic-specific learning needs. This study reports the development and preliminary validation of CHEM-LENS (Chemistry Learning Needs Survey), a curriculum-aligned diagnostic instrument designed to identify perceived learning difficulties across major chemistry domains. Employing a quantitative descriptive research design, CHEM-LENS was developed through a staged, theory-informed process encompassing curriculum-based item construction, readability evaluation, expert content validation, pilot testing, item analysis, and estimation of internal consistency reliability. The finalized 50-item instrument was administered to Senior High School students (n = 80), with a separate pilot sample (n = 50). Findings indicated acceptable preliminary measurement quality, including strong expert-rated content validity, satisfactory item functioning, and good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α = .83). Results of the needs assessment revealed differentiated patterns of chemistry learning difficulty, with thermochemistry, chemical reactions, chemical bonding, and atomic structure emerging as high-priority learning need areas. In contrast, topics grounded in foundational concepts and real-life applications were perceived as less challenging. Collectively, these findings suggest that CHEM-LENS demonstrates adequate preliminary quality for diagnostic use and holds promise for supporting data-informed instructional planning in Senior High School chemistry. Further psychometric validation is recommended to strengthen its measurement properties and applicability across diverse educational contexts.

Chemistry Education, Instrument, Needs Assessment

1. Amalia, E., & Habiddin, H. (2024). Four-tier chemical bonding instrument: Its development and validation. Edu Sains: Jurnal Pendidikan Sains & Matematika, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.23971/eds.v12i1.5048 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Barcelo, J. (2024). Development and Rasch analysis of the prior knowledge of chemistry concepts test for pre-medical students in the Philippines. KIMIKA, 34(2), 14–33. https://doi.org/10.26534/kimika.v34i2.14-33 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Da Silva Freire, M., Talanquer, V., & Amaral, E. (2019). Conceptual profile of chemistry: A framework for enriching thinking and action in chemistry education. International Journal of Science Education, 41, 674–692. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2019.1578001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. DeVellis, R. F., & Thorpe, C. T. (2021). Scale development: Theory and applications (5th ed.). SAGE Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Djaen, N., Rahayu, S., Yahmin, Y., & Muntholib, M. (2021). Chemical literacy of first-year students on carbon chemistry. J-PEK (Jurnal Pembelajaran Kimia), 6(1), 41–50. https://doi.org/10.17977/um026v6i12021p041 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Eilks, I., & Hofstein, A. (2020). Combining the question of the relevance of science education with the question of educational reconstruction. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 21(3), 668–676. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RP00215G [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Farillon, L. (2022). Scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and academic performance in science of selected Filipino senior high school students. Utamax: Journal of Ultimate Research and Trends in Education, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.31849/utamax.v4i1.8284 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Horvat, S., Rodić, D., Jović, N., Rončević, T., & Babić-Kekez, S. (2022). Validation of the strategy for determining the numerical rating of the cognitive complexity of exam items in the field of chemical kinetics. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.1235 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Khoiriyah, F., Sumarti, S., & Haryani, S. (2025). Development of Ethno-STEM test instrument to equip chemical literacy on thermochemistry material. Chemistry in Education, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.15294/chemined.v14i1.28691 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Laliyo, L., Utina, R., Husain, R., Umar, M., Katili, M., & Panigoro, C. (2023). Evaluating students’ ability in constructing scientific explanations on chemical phenomena. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13524 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Mi, S., Ye, J., Yan, L., & Bi, H. (2023). Development and validation of a conceptual survey instrument to evaluate senior high school students’ understanding of electrostatics. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 19(1), 010114. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.19.010114 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Nazir, M., & Kanwal, Z. (2025). Cognitive development of secondary school students in the subject of chemistry. Qualitative Research Journal for Social Studies. https://doi.org/10.63878/qrjs187 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Putica, K. (2022). Development and validation of a four-tier test for the assessment of secondary school students’ conceptual understanding of amino acids, proteins, and enzymes. Research in Science Education, 53, 651–668. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-022-10075-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Ridlo, L., Ridlo, A., Alfiyah, L., & Totussangadah, R. (2024). Trends of diagnostic assessment in educational evaluation and assessment journals in Indonesia. MUMTAZ: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.69552/mumtaz.v4i1.3171 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Rokhim, A., Ibnu, S., Rahayu, S., & Kusairi, S. (2024). Profile of needs analysis of five-tier diagnostic instrument development for high school chemistry courses. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.14.02.17 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Sayre, J., Nabua, E., Salic-Hairulla, M., Alcopra, A., & Fernandez, M. J. (2025). Assessing general chemistry learning gaps: A needs assessment of competency mastery among Grade 11 learners. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 9(4), 6518–6524. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.90400472 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Suparman, A. R. (2024). Development of a computer-based chemical five-tier diagnostic instrument: Investigating students’ progression of chemical symbol representation in secondary chemistry. Education Journal, 17(1). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1425189.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Tiara, F., & Sulistina, O. (2021). Development of PISA 2015-based chemical literacy assessment instrument for high school students. J-PEK (Jurnal Pembelajaran Kimia), 6(1), 26–35. https://doi.org/10.17977/um026v6i12021p026 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Tupas, F., & Matsuura, T. (2019). Moving forward in STEM education: Challenges and innovations in senior high school in the Philippines. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v8i3.19707 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Walpuski, M., & Celik, K. (2024). Empirical validation of a learning progression in initial chemistry education. Creative Education, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2024.152013 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Witkin, B. R., & Altschuld, J. W. (1995). Planning and conducting needs assessment: A practical guide. SAGE Publications [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Ye, D., Qian, J., Xu, W., Lu, Y., Wang, S., Xiao, L., & Bao, L. (2024). Assessment of knowledge integration in student learning of galvanic cell: An interdisciplinary approach connecting physics and chemistry. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 20(2), 020129. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.20.020129 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Green Synthesis of Cobalt Oxide/Gold (Coo/Au) Bimetallic Nanoparticles Using Sinapinic Acid: A Comprehensive Study
• Advances in Solar Cell Technologies: A Comprehensive Review of Material Synthesis, Structural Properties, Efficiency and Diverse Applications
• Thermal Decomposition of Co-Fe-Cr-Citrate Complex Via Structural and Spectral Study
• Surface Activity and Thermodynamic Assessment of Surfactants Derived from Oreochromis Niloticus Oil (Nile Tilapia Fish)
• Green Synthesis of Robust Metal-Organic Frameworks: A Sustainable Approach for Advanced Applications