Testing robustness, model fit, and measurement invariance of the Student Engagement Scale in an African university context

This study examined a modified version of the Student Engagement Scale, as adopted from the Australasian Survey of Student Engagement. It did so through examining model fit, predictive validity of the engagement factor, and testing of score reliability and measurement invariance across colleges and class years. Participants were volunteer undergraduate students (n = 536) from two colleges of a large university in Ethiopia. Confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modelling was used. The results reasonably supported a nine-factor model over other models, and testing of measurement invariance confirmed a good model fit for the nine-factor model across college and class year. Overall, the findings demonstrated supporting evidence for the validity of the nine-factor structure.

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Conceptualization and validation of the Neighbourhood Cohesion Index using exploratory structural equation modelling

Community Development Journal ◽

10.1093/cdj/bsaa007 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Allison Ross ◽

Mark Searle

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Sense Of Community ◽

Structural Equation Modelling ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Factor Model ◽

Model Fit ◽

Equation Modelling ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Phoenix Metropolitan Area ◽

Three Factor

Abstract The Neighbourhood Cohesion Index (NCI) is a popular scale used to measure social capital and cohesion at the neighbourhood level. Despite its prevalent use, discrepancies exist with regard to the factor structure of the scale. We explore a two- versus three-factor conceptualization of the NCI by comparing results of confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) for each model among a representative sample of adults (n = 798) in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area (AS, USA). The ESEM three-factor model with the subscales of attraction, neighbouring, and sense of community was the best model fit. This three-factor model proved to be invariant across age, gender, health, and race within our sample. Given the need to determine consistent definitions and measurement of social capital and cohesion, these findings strengthen and support the use of the NCI as an instrument to measure attraction, neighbouring, and sense of community within neighbourhoods.

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Testing Models and Measurement Invariance of the Learning Gains Scale

Education Sciences ◽

10.3390/educsci8040192 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 192 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Tefera Tadesse ◽

Robyn Gillies ◽

Chris Campbell

Keyword(s):

Construct Validity ◽

Measurement Invariance ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Goodness Of Fit ◽

Factor Model ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Supporting Evidence ◽

Learning Gains ◽

Survey Responses

This study tested the construct validity, factorial validity, and measurement invariance of the learning gains scale based on survey responses of a large sample (n = 536) of undergraduate students in two colleges at a university in Ethiopia. The analyses were performed through structural equation modeling technique using the stata 13 data analysis and statistical software package. The results demonstrate a 3-factor model representing the underlying construct satisfying the different model goodness-of-fit statistics and practical indexes. The observed factor loadings of variables within each factor and the correlations between the factors provide supporting evidence of construct validity. Measurement invariance tests were also confirmed acceptable levels of measurement equivalence between groups. Implications of the 3-factor model in higher education research are discussed.

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Explicating the South African Psychological Ownership Questionnaire’s confirmatory factor analysis model fit: A Bayesian structural equation modelling approach

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology ◽

10.4102/sajip.v45i0.1643 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 ◽

Author(s):

Pieter Schaap

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Measurement Model ◽

Model Fit ◽

Psychological Ownership ◽

Fit Indices ◽

Chi Square ◽

Equation Modelling ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Global Fit

Orientation: The rigid application of conventional confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) techniques, the overreliance on global model fit indices and the dismissal of the chi-square statistic appear to have an adverse impact on the research of psychological ownership measures.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to explicate the South African Psychological Ownership Questionnaire’s (SAPOS’s) CFA model fit using the Bayesian structural equation modelling (BSEM) technique.Motivation for the study: The need to conduct this study derived from a renewed awareness of the incorrect use of the chi-square statistic and global fit indices of CFA in social sciences research.Research approach/design and method: The SAPOS measurement model fit was explicated on two study samples consisting, respectively, of 712 and 254 respondents who worked in various organisations in South Africa. A Bayesian approach to CFA was used to evaluate if local model misspecifications were substantive and justified the rejection of the SAPOS model.Main findings: The findings suggested that a rejection of the SAPOS measurement model based on the results of the chi-square statistic and global fit indices would be unrealistic and unfounded in terms of substantive test theory.Practical/managerial implications: BSEM appeared to be a valuable diagnostic tool to pinpoint and evaluate local CFA model misspecifications and their effect on a measurement model.Contribution/value-add: This study showed the importance of considering local misspecifications rather than only relying the chi-square statistic and global fit indices when evaluating model fit.

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Validating the University Student Engagement Model through Structural Equation Modeling

World Journal of Educational Research ◽

10.22158/wjer.v5n4p318 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 318 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hafsa Mzee Mwita

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation Modeling ◽

Student Engagement ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Factor Model ◽

University Student ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Psychological Constructs ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

The University ◽

Behavior And Cognition

The main purpose of this study is to investigate whether emotional, cognitive and behavioral engagements, represents three conceptually and empirically distinct psychological constructs when studied within the same domain. This paper reports part of the findings from a major study entitled “Predictors of Self-Handicapping Behavior among Muslim Students”. Testing for factorial equivalence of scores from a measuring instrument was carried-out through structural equation modeling by using AMOS version 16. Results of Confirmatory Factor Analysis of responses from 790 undergraduates prove that the SEM three factor model of University Student Engagement (USE) is empirically fit and reliable, which also supports the argument that emotion, behavior and cognition are the student engagement manifestations of an interrelated constellation of academic student engagement.

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Driving locus of control: The Czech adaptation

Ceskoslovenska psychologie ◽

10.51561/cspsych.65.1.86 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 86-100

Author(s):

Vít Gabrhel ◽

◽

Stanislav Ježek ◽

Petr Zámečník

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Structural Equation Modelling ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Factor Model ◽

One Dimensional ◽

Equation Modelling ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

The One

Objectives. This study attempts to introduce the Driving Locus of Control (DLoC), a method focused on the internal or external source of attribution of the driving behaviour, to the Czech context. This study also relates DLoC to attitudes towards autonomous vehicles (AVs). Participants and setting. Out of the general population, 59 inquirers personally interviewed (CAPI) 1 065 respondents (49% women) in the age range between 15 and 92 years (M = 50, SD = 17). The respondents were sampled via multistage random sampling procedure, based on the list of addresses in the Czech Republic. Hypotheses. The authors hypothesised to replicate the original two-factor structure of the DLoC Scale and that the higher levels of internal DLoC result in not considering the improvement in traffic safety as the AVs replace human drivers. Statistical analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to analyse the factor structure of DLoC Scale. Hypotheses related to the empirical validity of the method were assessed via structural equation modelling. The reliability of DLoC Scale was calculated in terms of internal consistency (McDonald coefficient). Results. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed reasonably good support for structural validity of the one-dimensional DLoC-CZ15 factor model (χ2 = 426.967, df = 90, CFI = 0.964, TLI = 0.958, SRMR = 0.066, RMSEA = 0.065). In addition, the one-dimensional DLoC-CZ15 factor model showed acceptable internal consistency - ω = 0.9 (95% CI [0.89, 0.91]). The structural equation modelling found a relationship between DLoC and some of the items capturing attitudes towards AVs, too. Study limitations. The analysed data were obtained via interviews between respondents and inquirers. As a result, the study does not contain indicators of empirical validity measured by a methodologically different approach, such as an observation of driving behaviour.

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Psychometric Properties and Contribution to Mental Health of the Bulgarian version of the 4-Factor Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire

Folia Medica ◽

10.3897/folmed.61.e47726 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

pp. 529-539 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Angel M. Dzhambov ◽

Boris G. Tilov ◽

Desislava R. Makakova ◽

Donka D. Dimitrova

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Measurement Invariance ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Factor Model ◽

Coping Styles ◽

Thought Style ◽

Medical University

Background: The Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire (RTSQ) is a multifaceted measure of general trait rumination. However, there is no instrument for measuring rumination in Bulgarian, which limits progress in the field. Aim: We aimed to validate the RTSQ in Bulgarian and examine its psychometric properties and contribution to several mental health outcomes. Materials and methods: We sampled 529 undergraduate students (18 – 35 years; 33.6% male; 80.9% Bulgarian) from the Medical University in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. They completed a questionnaire asking about rumination (RTSQ), mental health, and sociodemographic information. The RTSQ was first translated to Bulgarian. Its internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the 4-factor RTSQ, and multi-group CFA examined its measurement invariance. Structural equation modelling was used to test the relations between the RTSQ factors, depression, anxiety, and resilience to stress. Results: The RTSQ had acceptable internal consistency (α ≥ 0.8) and its 4-factor model had good fit to the data. In addition, its measurement invariance was supported across languages and cultures of administration. We observed differential associations with depression, anxiety, and resilience, with some of the RTSQ factors emerging as maladaptive (problem-focused thoughts and repetitive thoughts), while others as neutral (anticipatory thoughts) or potentially supportive of resilience (counterfactual thinking). Conclusion: The RTSQ was successfully validated in Bulgarian and represents a reliable measure of trait rumination. It could be useful in gaining further insight into strategies adopted by individuals to cope with stressors and could help develop interventions supporting healthy coping styles. These findings should be replicated in other non-clinical/clinical populations.

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The Factors of Selecting Malaysia as Tourist Destination

10.31235/osf.io/dz38w ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

A. S. A. Ferdous Alam ◽

Er Ah Choy ◽

Halima Begum ◽

Md. Mahmudul Alam ◽

Chamhuri Siwar

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Model Fit ◽

Primary Data ◽

Economic Sector ◽

Tourist Destination ◽

Community Factors ◽

Equation Modelling ◽

Confirmatory Factor

Tourism is an emerging economic sector for Malaysia. The purpose of this study is an attempt to understand the factors that attract tourists to visit Malaysia. The primary data were collected through questionnaire survey on 735 tourists who visited the state of Melaka, Malaysia. This study used descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling (SEM) in order to analyze and draw the inferences. Model fit was initially tested using the overall fit and regression paths. Then the hypothesized model was analysed and modified based on the results of the analysis to find a better fit of the data and to more adequately describe the relationships between the factors. The study found that several economic, environmental, cultural and community factors have positive significant influence in attracting tourists to Melaka.

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Exploring the Multidimensional Facets of Authoritarianism: Authoritarian Aggression and Social Dominance Orientation

Swiss Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1024/1421-0185.67.1.51 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 67 (1) ◽

pp. 51-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Stefano Passini

Keyword(s):

Social Dominance ◽

Factor Model ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Social Dominance Orientation ◽

Model Fit ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

One Dimensional ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

The One ◽

Better Than

The relation between authoritarianism and social dominance orientation was analyzed, with authoritarianism measured using a three-dimensional scale. The implicit multidimensional structure (authoritarian submission, conventionalism, authoritarian aggression) of Altemeyer’s (1981, 1988) conceptualization of authoritarianism is inconsistent with its one-dimensional methodological operationalization. The dimensionality of authoritarianism was investigated using confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of 713 university students. As hypothesized, the three-factor model fit the data significantly better than the one-factor model. Regression analyses revealed that only authoritarian aggression was related to social dominance orientation. That is, only intolerance of deviance was related to high social dominance, whereas submissiveness was not.

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A Psychometric Study of the Quality Perception Questionnaire

Swiss Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1024/1421-0185/a000076 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 71 (2) ◽

pp. 101-106 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Raffaele Cioffi† ◽

Anna Coluccia ◽

Fabio Ferretti ◽

Francesca Lorini ◽

Aristide Saggino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation ◽

Factor Model ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Fit Indices ◽

Quality Perception ◽

Italian Survey ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Instrument Measuring ◽

Hospital Structures

The present paper reexamines the psychometric properties of the Quality Perception Questionnaire (QPQ), an Italian survey instrument measuring patients’ perceptions of the quality of a recent hospital admission experience, in a sample of 4400 patients (Mage = 56.42 years; SD = 19.71 years, 48.8% females). The 14-item survey measures four factors: satisfaction with medical doctors, nursing staff, auxiliary staff, and hospital structures. First, we tested two models using a confirmatory factor analysis (structural equation modeling): a four orthogonal factor and a four oblique factor model. The SEM fit indices and the χ² difference suggested the acceptance of the second model. We then did a simulation using a bootstrap with 1000 replications. Results confirmed the four oblique factor solution. Third, we tested whether there were significant differences with respect to age or sex. The multivariate general linear model showed no significant differences in the factors with respect to sex or age.

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Factorial Structure of the Therapist Adherence Measure-Revised (TAM-R) Within Multisystemic Therapy

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000505 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 427-431

Author(s):

Aurelie M. C. Lange ◽

Marc J. M. H. Delsing ◽

Ron H. J. Scholte ◽

Rachel E. A. van der Rijken

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Factor Model ◽

Multisystemic Therapy ◽

Model Fit ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Adherence Measure ◽

Therapist Adherence ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

The Us

Abstract. The Therapist Adherence Measure (TAM-R) is a central assessment within the quality-assurance system of Multisystemic Therapy (MST). Studies into the validity and reliability of the TAM in the US have found varying numbers of latent factors. The current study aimed to reexamine its factor structure using two independent samples of families participating in MST in the Netherlands. The factor structure was explored using an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) in Sample 1 ( N = 580). This resulted in a two-factor solution. The factors were labeled “therapist adherence” and “client–therapist alliance.” Four cross-loading items were dropped. Reliability of the resulting factors was good. This two-factor model showed good model fit in a subsequent Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in Sample 2 ( N = 723). The current finding of an alliance component corroborates previous studies and fits with the focus of the MST treatment model on creating engagement.

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