Development and Validation of a Self-Concept Scale for College Students Using Comics Superhero Characters

Self-concept refers to the domain of self-descriptions that have self-evaluative connotation. Though many researchers embarked in the study of self-concept, and some even developed tests that measured self-concept, majority of these instruments had methodological and theoretical problems due to lack of systematic instrument development and presentation. The objective of the study is to develop a reliable and valid alternative approach to measuring the self in a semi-structured undisguised comics-type test that directly accounts for the way college students consider their choices of superheroes’ traits that characterizes their own. A preliminary survey on self-concept, in a form of open-ended statements was conducted to five hundred ninety-eight (598) college students of selected schools in Manila and Bulacan to know how college students see themselves indicatory of their self-concepts. Results of which, were collated to form the preliminary form. The preliminary form of the SCSS was administered to five hundred ninety-five (595) college students of different universities and colleges. Eighty-eight (88) items under eight (8) components were subjected to item analysis by identifying factors through a series of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Descriptive results were also calculated, as well as the exact reliability coefficient through split-half and Cronbach’s alpha. For the validity, content analysis was applied using two groups of experts who ascertain the suitability of each item in terms of content, relevance, clarity, appropriateness and their representations. They include three (3) experts who have a long experienced in comics industry and another three (3) experts in the field of college students’ self-concept formation. From the total of 88 items, 30 items were eliminated. However, the items that constitute the final form of the SCSS was concentrated into 55 items under six (6) factors upon post-analysis consideration. Statistical analysis revealed that the experts’ ratings were consistent and has high reliability with a generated r value of.894. The SCSS final form was administered to 809 respondents following the same procedures that were used for the preliminary form. The test scores were subjected to reliability facility, such as Alpha Coefficient and Split-Half, computing the reliability coefficients of the final form. Validity was established through convergent analysis, tested in a sample of 419 respondents who took the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS: 2) Adult Form. The test was found to have high reliability with r =.792.

Synthesis and Charaterization of Polyurethane Composite Materials Derived from Hydroxy Terminated Polyepichlorohydrins

Hydroxy terminated polyepichlorohydrins (PECH) of different molecular weights were synthesized using a novel catalyst and co-catalyst combinations. Different polymerization conditions like temperature, time and monomer addition rates exhibited pronounced effect on the molecular weight, polydispersity and functionality of the products. After optimization of the conditions, polyepichlorohydrins of three different molecular weights i.e., 1045, 2497 and 3521 daltons were selected for the preparation of their polyurethane elastomers (PUE). The DSC studies of the polyol displayed linear increase in glass transition temperature (Tg) with the increase in its molecular weight (-35.6 to -28.3 oC). In second part of the present study two series of polyurethane elastomers were prepared by prepolymer method from polyepichlorohydrins (polyols) of three different molecular weights, aromatic (TDI) and cycloaliphatic (IPDI) diisocyanates and three chain extenders (1,4-butadiol, 1,6-hexanediol and cyclohexanedimethanol). The structural elucidation of PECH and its elastomers was carried out by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopic techniques. The change in molecular weight (polyol), type of diisocyanate, nature of chain extender and amount of chain extenders engendered significant effect on the surface morphology and thermo-mechanical properties of the resulting PUEs. Aromatic diisocyanate based elastomer (P25TDIDM10) exhibited optimum UTS (8.11 MPa) and elongation at break (511.7%) whereas cycloaliphatic diisocyanate elastomer (P10IPDIDM10) showed 8.58 MPa UTS and elongation at break (511.7%). All the polyurethane elastomers were stable up to 200 °C and were degraded without melting to constant mass above 450 °C. Tg of TDI based PUE was increased to -16 oC while in IPDI series it was further shifted to 7.98 oC. In the third part of this research work, selective polyurethane elastomer P10IPDIDM10 was used, due to its superior properties, as a matrix for the synthesis of polymer based composites. Graphite, aluminium flakes and aluminium powder were used in different proportions (5-15%) as fillers in the polymer matrix composites. Incorporation of fillers enhanced the UTS with corresponding decrease in elongation at break, whereas in case of graphite, electrical properties of the composite were also improved. The present study revealed that the synthesized PUEs and composites were found promising candidates for various advanced applications.