Building an Academic Tenacity Scale for Students in Some Faculties of Physical Education and Sports Science

This study aimed to develop an academic tenacity scale for students in Faculties of Physical Education and Sport Sciences and to identify their level of academic tenacity. Given the theoretical and practical nature of study in these faculties, which may influence students' academic engagement, and the lack of standardized tools to measure this construct in the field, the need emerged to develop a valid and reliable measurement instrument and to answer the main research question: Is it possible to develop a scientific tool to measure academic tenacity among students in some Faculties of Physical Education and Sport Sciences. The researchers adopted the descriptive survey method, as it was appropriate for the nature and objectives of the study. The population consisted of students from the Faculties of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at the Universities of Samarra, Tikrit, and Kirkuk for the academic year (2025–2026), totaling (921) male and female students. The population was divided into a construction sample and an application sample. The construction sample included (600) students after excluding the pilot study participants, while the final application sample consisted of (267) students after excluding incomplete responses. The researchers followed standardized scientific procedures for scale construction and psychometric validation. The scale was then administered to the final sample. The results indicated that students in Faculties of Physical Education and Sport Sciences demonstrated a high level of academic tenacity, with a mean score of (186.813) compared to the hypothetical mean of (120). The calculated t-value was (139.892) at a significance level of (0.000).The study concluded that academic tenacity plays a significant role in enhancing students' ability to persist, overcome academic challenges, and achieve educational goals. These findings align with the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (Quality Education) by improving higher education outcomes and fostering lifelong learning competencies.