International Journal of Educational Practice and Policy
Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): March-April 2026

Predicting Biology Identity from Plant Literacy, Systems Thinking, and Reflective Judgment: A PLS-SEM Approach

Ismail Ismail (Universitas Negeri Makassar)
Yusminah Hala (Universitas Negeri Makassar)
Nurhayati B (Universitas Negeri Makassar)
Suhartini Azis (Universitas Negeri Makassar)
Asham Bin Jamaluddin (Universitas Negeri Makassar)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among plant literacy, systems thinking, reflective judgment, and biology identity among university students. Using a quantitative non-experimental approach with a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected in January 2026 from students of the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Makassar. The data were obtained through a structured questionnaire using a 1–7 Likert scale and analyzed with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that the measurement model met the required reliability and validity criteria, with all indicator loadings above 0.70, AVE values above 0.50, and HTMT values below 0.90. In the structural model, plant literacy had a positive and significant effect on biology identity (β = 0.603, p < 0.001), and reflective judgment also had a positive and significant effect (β = 0.275, p < 0.001). In contrast, systems thinking had a negative but non-significant effect (β = -0.026, p = 0.647). The model explained 68.6% of the variance in biology identity. These findings indicate that biology identity is more strongly associated with students’ connection to core biological content and reflective engagement with knowledge than with systems thinking as a direct predictor.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJEPP

Publisher

Subject

Education Social Sciences

Description

International Journal of Educational Practice and Policy (IJEPP) is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes innovative educational research and writing from scholars throughout the world. IJEPP aims to offer a place for researchers to exchange information, principles, and expertise in the area ...