Using Structural Equation Modeling to Assess a Model for Measuring Creative Teaching Perceptions and Practices in Higher Education

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

It’s my pleasure to review this paper. During the review process, I found that there are a few problems in the paper, and the author needs to make appropriate adjustments and modifications. The following are my suggestions for the paper, which I hope will be helpful to the authors.

 

1. For readers to quickly catch your contribution, it would be better to highlight major difficulties and challenges and your original achievements to overcome them in a clearer way in the abstract and introduction. It is suggested that the authors should clarify the research purpose of the paper.

 

2. Taking distance education as the starting point, this paper discusses and analyzes the relationships between university teachers' Perceptions on Teaching Tasks (PTT) and Creative Teaching Practices (CTP). It is suggested that the author adjust the section 1.1. Literature Review and incorporate it into the introduction section, or provide more support for PTT and CTP by subheading these two dimensions in the literature section, so that readers can better understand it. In addition, I think in the end of “Introduction” section, you can add paragraph to brief the structure of article.

 

3. It is suggested that the section 1.2. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) should be deleted. The author should focus on the research value and significance of the paper itself, so that readers can better understand the research contribution of the paper, instead of just elaborating a conventional knowledge of statistics. Perhaps readers are more interested in an in-depth paper than in an instruction manual.

 

4. In Section 2 Methodology, the authors mention that 250 teachers have completed the questionnaire survey. The authors are suggested to add the detailed steps of collecting the questionnaire. 

 

5. Authors should address the pagination of the forms in Section 3. Findings and clarify the significance of the red marks of the fractions in Tables 5 and 6. In addition, it is suggested to redraw the model diagrams in Figure 3 and Figure 4.

 

6. The authors need to clearly articulate the academic and practical implications of this study. Therefore, the authors should change the caption of Section 4. Discussion into Section 4.Discussion and conclusions，I would suggest writing a paragraph in the Discussion and conclusions section for the implications. What’s more, Section 5. Recommendations should pay more attention to future research and model improvement instead of just current research findings.

 

7. In Section 4 Discussion, the authors mention that “Male and female faculty members have different levels of creativity in their teaching practices, which influences their performance and determine it.”(lines 282-284) The content of this paper seems far away from being related to the gender differences in teacher practice. Why is it quoted? 

 

Finally, I wish the authors all the very best with this study.

 

Author Response

No.	Comment	Corrections
1	For readers to quickly catch your contribution, it would be better to highlight major difficulties and challenges and your original achievements to overcome them in a clearer way in the abstract and introduction. It is suggested that the authors should clarify the research purpose of the paper.	The Abstract has been modified, and paragraphs have been added to the introduction
2	Taking distance education as the starting point, this paper discusses and analyzes the relationships between university teachers' Perceptions on Teaching Tasks (PTT) and Creative Teaching Practices (CTP). It is suggested that the author adjust the section 1.1. Literature Review and incorporate it into the introduction section, or provide more support for PTT and CTP by subheading these two dimensions in the literature section, so that readers can better understand it. In addition, I think in the end of “Introduction” section, you can add paragraph to brief the structure of article.	According to the opinion of the third Reviewer, the literature review section has been separated and more recent studies have been added.   Two paragraphs have been added at the end of Introduction section
3	It is suggested that the section 1.2. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) should be deleted. The author should focus on the research value and significance of the paper itself, so that readers can better understand the research contribution of the paper, instead of just elaborating a conventional knowledge of statistics. Perhaps readers are more interested in an in-depth paper than in an instruction manual.	It has been moved to the methodology according to the opinion of the third Reviewer
4	In Section 2 Methodology, the authors mention that 250 teachers have completed the questionnaire survey. The authors are suggested to add the detailed steps of collecting the questionnaire.	Done The methodology has been rewritten in detail
5	Authors should address the pagination of the forms in Section 3. Findings and clarify the significance of the red marks of the fractions in Tables 5 and 6. In addition, it is suggested to redraw the model diagrams in Figure 3 and Figure 4.	Done Done in section 4.1.  The two figures were copied from the Amos program.
6	The authors need to clearly articulate the academic and practical implications of this study. Therefore, the authors should change the caption of Section 4. Discussion into Section 4.Discussion and conclusions，I would suggest writing a paragraph in the Discussion and conclusions section for the implications. What’s more, Section 5. Recommendations should pay more attention to future research and model improvement instead of just current research findings.	A paragraph has been added at the end of the discussion section about applications and search additions. The last section has been modified and changed to Limitations and Future directions.
7	In Section 4 Discussion, the authors mention that “Male and female faculty members have different levels of creativity in their teaching practices, which influences their performance and determine it.”(lines 282-284) The content of this paper seems far away from being related to the gender differences in teacher practice. Why is it quoted?	This sentence has been deleted

Reviewer 2 Report

The methodology lacks a thorough description of the tool used and the characteristics of the people surveyed.

Lines 265-266 discuss the interpretation of the goodness-of-fit indices, which are not entirely correct. It is pointed out that the NFI indicates a good fit to the model. However, the NFI=0.882, which is less than the required 0.9, and this indicates a low goodness fit. The authors were probably referring to the IFI, which is 0.928.

The discussion is conducted correctly and clearly. The conclusions drawn are logical and consistent with the research results. However, the sentence from line 341 looks unfinished.

There are minor editorial errors in the paper (e.g. missing dots at the end of titles of tables and graphs - lines 219, 220, 236, 237, 238, 239, 256, 275). The p-values designation should be formatted in italics each time.

Author Response

No.	Comment	Corrections
1	The methodology lacks a thorough description of the tool used and the characteristics of the people surveyed.	The methodology has been rewritten in detail
2	Lines 265-266 discuss the interpretation of the goodness-of-fit indices, which are not entirely correct. It is pointed out that the NFI indicates a good fit to the model. However, the NFI=0.882, which is less than the required 0.9, and this indicates a low goodness fit. The authors were probably referring to the IFI, which is 0.928.	Thank you a lot for the accuracy of the note
3	The discussion is conducted correctly and clearly. The conclusions drawn are logical and consistent with the research results. However, the sentence from line 341 looks unfinished.	Done
4	There are minor editorial errors in the paper (e.g. missing dots at the end of titles of tables and graphs - lines 219, 220, 236, 237, 238, 239, 256, 275). The p-values designation should be formatted in italics each time.	Done

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Authors,

Thank you for providing this paper on "using structural equation modelling for assessing a model of creative teaching perceptions and practices in higher education". The purpose of this paper is to consider the faculty members' perceptions of the teaching profession and their creative teaching practices. The topic of this study is very interesting. However, the following points are worthy of consideration to improve the manuscript's comprehensibility.

Introduction

[1].    In the introduction section, the research gap and the motivation of the study need to be made clearer.

[2].    Authors are highly encouraged to provide research questions that the paper is designed to answer.

[3].    At various points in the paper, the authors bring up ideas with no reference to previous work. For instance "Most of the researchers emphasized the importance of teacher's perceptions and beliefs, to provide them with insight into aspects of the professional world".

Literature Review

[4].    The literature review section can benefit from more studies that are extensive. I would appreciate it if the authors include additional updated and relevant references to justify the association between faculty members' perceptions of teaching tasks and creative teaching practices.  

[5].    The inclusion of theory describing the relation between research variables could provide a better guide to the study.

Methodology

[6].    The CB-SEM approach was used in this study, it is better to provide the reason for using this approach.

[7].    The authors should provide more clarification about the employed sampling method.

[8].    The data collection process needs to be described in detail.

[9].    Please include a table on the study sample characteristics.

[10].  Authors mentioned, "To measure perceptions of teaching tasks (PTT) and creative teaching practices (CTP), two instruments were developed and tested". I encourage authors to explain more widely how they developed measurement scales for both constructs.

Findings

[11].  Authors mentioned, "The findings also revealed a strong and significant correlation between faculty member perceptions and creative teaching practices". I would appreciate it if the authors provided a brief description of the correlation outputs in the findings section.

Discussion

[12].  The implications for theory are seen to be poor as I am not sure what is new in it. You can include additional arguments regarding your unique theoretical contribution.

[13].  I would also encourage authors to discuss the current study limitations and the perspectives for future studies.

Minor issues

[14].  The literature review should be a separate section.

[15].  The SEM (1.2) subsection shall be considered as a part of the methodology section.

[16].  Line 341, incomplete sentence.

[17].  A number of sentences need to be rephrased because they are copied from other works without giving any credit to the original source. For instance

·        Lines 183-184 "The questionnaires were examined by seven experts from King Faisal University. Based on their opinions; some items were modified and reformulated." Copied from AlAli, (2021).

·        Lines 295-295 " Emotional variables such as perceptions, beliefs and attitudes influence teaching practice, which helps to understand the mechanisms and strategies of learning. " Copied from AlAli, (2016).  

Please reduce the similarity index (currently 17%).

[18].  Error in citations and reference list, with duplicate references.  For instance,

In line 63, the authors used the reference [13], and in line 125, they used [36], even though it is the same reference. Similar comments for in-text citation [14] and [33]; and for [19] and [40].

·      13. Fakih, K. & Abi Mawlud (2015). English teachers’ beliefs about teaching their subject matter at middle school stage. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 19, 285-297.

·      36. Fakih, K. & Abi Mawlud (2015). English teachers’ beliefs about teaching their subject matter at middle school stage. Journal of  Humanities and Social Sciences, 19, 285-297.

·      14. Mofreh, S. A. M., & Ghafar, M. N. (2019). The Influences of the Lecturers’ Beliefs on Teaching Functions on Teaching Practices. In 4th ASEAN Conference on Psychology, Counselling, and Humanities (ACPCH 2018) (pp. 462-466). Atlantis Press.

·      33. Mofreh, S. A. M., & Ghafar, M. N. (2019). The Influences of the Lecturers’ Beliefs on Teaching Functions on Teaching Practices. In 4th ASEAN Conference on Psychology, Counselling, and Humanities (ACPCH 2018) (pp. 462-466). Atlantis Press.

·      19. Holdhus, K. (2019). When students teach creativities: Exploring student reports on Creative teaching. Qualitative Inquiry, 25(7), 690-699

·      40. Holdhus, K. (2019). When students teach creativities: Exploring student reports on Creative teaching. Qualitative Inquiry, 25(7), 690-699

I highly recommend preparing references using reference management software to eliminate typos and duplicate references.

[19].  Some English editing is needed to correct the various grammatical errors present in the manuscript. I strongly recommend professional proofreading for the entire manuscript.

I hope my feedback will help you to develop your research.

All the best.

Author Response

No.	Comment	Corrections
Introduction
1	In the introduction section, the research gap and the motivation of the study need to be made clearer.	Two paragraphs have been added at the end of Introduction section
2	Authors are highly encouraged to provide research questions that the paper is designed to answer.	A question has been added at the end of Introduction section
3	At various points in the paper, the authors bring up ideas with no reference to previous work. For instance "Most of the researchers emphasized the importance of teacher's perceptions and beliefs, to provide them with insight into aspects of the professional world".	Done
Literature Review
4	The literature review section can benefit from more studies that are extensive. I would appreciate it if the authors include additional updated and relevant references to justify the association between faculty members' perceptions of teaching tasks and creative teaching practices.	Done
5	The inclusion of theory describing the relation between research variables could provide a better guide to the study.	Done
Methodology
6	The CB-SEM approach was used in this study, it is better to provide the reason for using this approach.	Done
7	The authors should provide more clarification about the employed sampling method.	Done
8	The data collection process needs to be described in detail.	Done
9	Please include a table on the study sample characteristics.	Done
10	Authors mentioned, "To measure perceptions of teaching tasks (PTT) and creative teaching practices (CTP), two instruments were developed and tested". I encourage authors to explain more widely how they developed measurement scales for both constructs.	Done
Findings
11	Authors mentioned, "The findings also revealed a strong and significant correlation between faculty member perceptions and creative teaching practices". I would appreciate it if the authors provided a brief description of the correlation outputs in the findings section	It was added under Figure 4 and more clarification in the discussion
Discussion
12	The implications for theory are seen to be poor as I am not sure what is new in it. You can include additional arguments regarding your unique theoretical contribution.	A paragraph has been added to the discussion section
13	I would also encourage authors to discuss the current study limitations and the perspectives for future studies.	Done
Minor issues
14	The literature review should be a separate section.	Done
15	The SEM (1.2) subsection shall be considered as a part of the methodology section.	Done
16	Line 341, incomplete sentence.	Done
17	A number of sentences need to be rephrased because they are copied from other works without giving any credit to the original source. For instance ·        Lines 183-184 "The questionnaires were examined by seven experts from King Faisal University. Based on their opinions; some items were modified and reformulated." Copied from AlAli, (2021). ·        Lines 295-295 " Emotional variables such as perceptions, beliefs and attitudes influence teaching practice, which helps to understand the mechanisms and strategies of learning. " Copied from AlAli, (2016).  Please reduce the similarity index (currently 17%).	Done             Done
18	Error in citations and reference list, with duplicate references.  For instance,   In line 63, the authors used the reference [13], and in line 125, they used [36], even though it is the same reference. Similar comments for in-text citation [14] and [33]; and for [19] and [40].	Done
19	Some English editing is needed to correct the various grammatical errors present in the manuscript. I strongly recommend professional proofreading for the entire manuscript.	ok

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The author has adjusted and revised the first round of comments, but there are still some deficiencies. For example, the inconsistent numbering of the text should be improved. The author can proofread the whole structure and grammar carefully.

Author Response

Dear reviewer Thanks a lot

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The revisions were satisfactory.

However, the numbering of the different parts of the text in the methodology section should be improved, as well as the numbering of the tables.

The p-values designation should be formatted in italics each time.

Author Response

Dear reviewer Thanks a lot

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The authors have done a very good job in addressing the reviewers' outstanding issues. This version has improved significantly, which only requires some minor revisions as follows:

·   Please correct the subsections and section numbering. Please fix it.

Line 205 "3.1. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM)"

Lien 234 " 3.3. The questionnaires"

Line 331 " 3.2. SEM Analysis of the theoretical …"

Line 376 " 4. Discussion"

Line 442 " 5. Limitations and Future directions"

All the best, 

Author Response

Dear reviewer Thanks a lot

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf