Environmental, Social and Economic Attitudes and Sustainable Knowledge on the Sustainable Behaviour of Engineering Students: An Analysis Based on Attitudes towards Teachers

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper addresses a topic of interest at a social level in general and, in particular, for science and technology education. However, there are some issues that authors should keep in mind:

1. The Theory of Reasoned Action enunciated by Ajzen and Fishbein models the relationship between knowledge (and beliefs), attitudes (and emotions) and behaviors. This theory has a solid empirical basis. However, the authors present in Figure 1 a model that seems to contravene the TRA. In relation to this question, have you verified whether it is a (bidirectional) correlation between the variables studied? Could there be other alternative models? In this sense, the TRA would lead to restructuring the model of Figure 1.

2. Two sequenced models could be hypothesized. Thus, the attitude towards teachers could influence learning (behaviors) and, consequently, knowledge about sustainable development. Then, this knowledge would allow the development of environmental, economic and social attitudes that would revert to pro-environmental behaviors.

3. In relation to points 1 and 2, the authors are recommended to review the theoretical foundation in order to offer a more robust theoretical support to the model.

4. In section 3.2 the instrument used is described, but it is not clear if it is a new instrument, product of the adaptation of other scales, or if the selected scales were simply translated into Spanish. Therefore, it is necessary for the authors to describe carefully the instruments they selected, as well as (if any) the changes or adaptations included in the scale they have constructed. It is recommended to use a table to compare the instruments. In addition, it is necessary to show preliminary statistical results of the pilot test; especially, those aimed at contrasting the reliability and construct validity of the scale.

5. It is essential that the authors provide access to the instrument used, facilitating a rigorous and real open science. It is therefore recommended that you attach it in annexes or provide a link for consultation.

Author Response

Dear reviewer. We have included an attached document offering a response to your valuable comments. In addition, we have included a new version of the manuscript, where the changes suggested by the reviewers can be seen in blue. We remain attentive to any concerns or questions. Thank you.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Title: Relevance of Sustainable Knowledge and Environmental, Social and Economic Attitudes on the Sustainable Behaviour of 3 Engineering Students: An Analysis Based on Attitudes Towards Teachers

This is very interesting piece of work. The writing is quite mature. Yet the paper needs some revisions before it can be accepted for publication.

Although the research issue is clear. However, the authors have not made a distinction how this work is related either with sustainable education or sustainability in education or both. I could say that this paper can be made better link with both the concept of Sustainable education and sustainability in education. I would advise that the authors should pay careful attention to the following paper and make better use of the concept.

# Sustainable Education and Sustainability in Education: The Reality in the Era of Internationalisation and Commodification in Education—Is Higher Education Different?- DOI: 10.3390/su15021315

           

Before moving to the theoretical framework, please advise the structure of the paper and make the aim of the paper clearer.

In the theoretical framework, please define the definition of development with a developmental discourse before discussing the role of higher in development. Please have a careful look of some materials that have talked about international developmental politics. A food for thought can be found from - https://link.springer.com/collections/ebgadejjjj

A blind support to sustainable development goal is not a remedy. Hence the ESD desires a critical look that is missing. I would suggest to look following papers.

 

# Can education as an ‘International Commodity’ be the backbone or cane of a nation in the era of fourth industrial revolution? - A Comparative study- DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120184

 

Overall, it is an interesting piece of work and can be published after improving the developable discourse

 

Good luck with the revision

Needs a minor editing 

Author Response

Dear reviewer. We have included an attached document offering a response to your valuable comments. In addition, we have included a new version of the manuscript, where the changes suggested by the reviewers can be seen in blue. We remain attentive to any concerns or questions. Thank you.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The title of the article is a bit catchy. It can be checked. "Relevens of attitudes on behaviours". There are 2 different types of attitudes in the tittle

I believe that this study will partially contribute to the literature. In general, what is known in the literature has been repeated.

I recommend you to write suggestions for practical implications using the findings of this research that deals with "Sustainable Behavior".

Author Response

Dear reviewer. We have included an attached document offering a response to your valuable comments. In addition, we have included a new version of the manuscript, where the changes suggested by the reviewers can be seen in blue. We remain attentive to any concerns or questions. Thank you.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

I have not found that the concerns are addressed. Hence I note it again. 

This is very interesting piece of work. The writing is quite mature. Yet the paper needs some revisions before it can be accepted for publication.

Although the research issue is clear. However, the authors have not made a distinction how this work is related either with sustainable education or sustainability in education or both. I could say that this paper can be made better link with both the concept of Sustainable education and sustainability in education. I would advise that the authors should pay careful attention to the following paper and make better use of the concept.

# Sustainable Education and Sustainability in Education: The Reality in the Era of Internationalisation and Commodification in Education—Is Higher Education Different?- DOI: 10.3390/su15021315

           

Before moving to the theoretical framework, please advise the structure of the paper and make the aim of the paper clearer.

In the theoretical framework, please define the definition of development with a developmental discourse before discussing the role of higher in development. Please have a careful look of some materials that have talked about international developmental politics. A food for thought can be found from - https://link.springer.com/collections/ebgadejjjj

A blind support to sustainable development goal is not a remedy. Hence the ESD desires a critical look that is missing. I would suggest to look following papers.

 

# Can education as an ‘International Commodity’ be the backbone or cane of a nation in the era of fourth industrial revolution? - A Comparative study- DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120184

 

Overall, it is an interesting piece of work and can be published after improving the developable discourse

 

Good luck with the revision

Minor editing needed 

Author Response

Dear reviewer, thank you very much for your valuable comments. We appreciate his time. We feel we have addressed his concerns to improve the clarity and relevance of our document.

Regarding the distinction between sustainable education and sustainability in education, we recognize the need to establish a stronger link between our research and these concepts. Thus, we have reviewed the articles that you recommend and this information has been presented in the first paragraph of the introduction. You can see it in green colour.

We recognize the importance of presenting a clear structure and purpose for our document. In the revised version, we have provided a more defined structure and will ensure that the goals of the document are more explicitly communicated. In the last paragraph of the introduction, presented in green, you can see the objective, the relationship of our work with the concepts of sustainable education and sustainability in education, and the structure of the work.

His recommendation to incorporate a discourse on development has also been included, presented in green, in the first paragraph of the theoretical framework. We have integrated this approach to provide a more nuanced understanding of development within our theoretical framework.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. We are committed to improving the quality of our document based on your valuable suggestions and the resources you have recommended. We await your evaluation.

Sincerely,

The authors

Round 3

Reviewer 2 Report

Thanks for the revision after English editing, it can be published 

Thanks for the revision after English editing, it can be published. If you do in house editing, I am fine