scholarly journals Beyond torture checklists: an exploratory study of the reliability and construct validity of the Torturing Environment Scale (TES)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Pérez-Sales ◽  
Raquel González-Rubio ◽  
Blanca Mellor-Marsá ◽  
Gonzalo Martínez-Alés
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Torture Survivors ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Validity Assessment ◽  
Environment Scale

Abstract Background Torture methods have traditionally been quantified using checklists. However, checklists fail to capture accurately both the almost infinite range of available methods of torture and the victims’ subjective experience. The Torturing Environment Scale (TES) was designed as a multidimensional alternative that groups torture methods according to the specific human function under attack. This study aims to do an exploratory assessment of the internal consistency reliability and discriminatory validity of the TES as part of a construct validity assessment in a sample of Basque torture survivors. Methods We applied the TES to a sample of 201 torture survivors from the Istanbul Protocol Project in the Basque Country Study (IPP-BC) to profile torturing environments in detention. To estimate the internal consistency reliability of the scale, categorical omega values were obtained for each subscale of the TES. To assess its discriminatory validity, the “known groups” method was used comparing mean scorings by gender, state security forces involved in the detention, and decade (the 1980s to the present) when the events took place. Results Men reported more physical pain, while women reported more attacks on self-identity and sexual integrity. The TES also showed significant differences as regards the security forces involved in the detention: Civil Guard (a militarised police) used more manipulation of the environment, threats, fear, pain and extreme pain, as compared to national and regional corps. Finally, although patterns of torture remained mostly unchanged across decades, more recent detentions included more emphasis on psychological attacks: context manipulation, humiliation linked to sexual identity, and attacks to meaning and identity. For all subscales of the TES, categorical omega values ranged from 0.44 to 0.72. Conclusion The TES may be a useful tool in profiling torturing environments. Its sensitivity to key contextual variables supports the discriminatory validity of the scale. While some of the subscales showed an acceptable degree of internal consistency, others require further analysis to improve reliability. The scale provides unique insights into the profile of contemporary torture. It will allow for future quantitative research on the relationship between different torturing environments and the medical and psychological consequences thereof.

scholarly journals Beyond torture checklists. An exploratory study of the Reliability and Construct Validity of the Torturing Environment Scale (TES)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Pérez-Sales ◽  
Raquel González-Rubio ◽  
Blanca Mellor-Marsá ◽  
Gonzalo Martínez-Alés
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Torture Survivors ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Validity Assessment ◽  
Environment Scale

Abstract Background: Torture methods have traditionally been quantified using checklists. However, checklists fail to capture accurately both the almost infinite range of available methods of torture and the victims' subjective experience. The Torturing Environment Scale (TES) was designed as a multidimensional alternative that groups torture methods according to the specific human function under attack. This study aims to do an exploratory assessment of the internal consistency reliability and discriminatory validity of the TES as part of a construct validity assessment in a sample of Basque torture survivors. Methods: We applied the TES to a sample of 201 torture survivors from the Istanbul Protocol Project in the Basque Country Study (IPP-BC) to profile torturing environments in detention. To estimate the internal consistency reliability of the scale, categorical omega values were obtained for each subscale of the TES. To assess its discriminatory validity, the "known groups" method was used comparing mean scorings by gender, state security forces involved in the detention, and decade (the 1980s to the present) when the events took place. Results: Men reported more physical pain, while women reported more attacks on self-identity and sexual integrity. The TES also showed significant differences as regards the security forces involved in the detention: Civil Guard (a militarised police) used more manipulation of the environment, threats, fear, pain and extreme pain, as compared to national and regional corps. Finally, although patterns of torture remained mostly unchanged across decades, more recent detentions included more emphasis on psychological attacks: context manipulation, humiliation linked to sexual identity, and attacks to meaning and identity. For all subscales of the TES, categorical omega values ranged from 0.44 to 0.72. Conclusion: The TES may be a useful tool in profiling torturing environments. Its sensitivity to key contextual variables supports the discriminatory validity of the scale. While some of the subscales showed an acceptable degree of internal consistency, others require further analysis to improve reliability. The scale provides unique insights into the profile of contemporary torture. It will allow for future quantitative research on the relationship between different torturing environments and the medical and psychological consequences thereof.

The Index of Readiness: Development and Psychometric Analysis

1994 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Fleury
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Psychometric Evaluation ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Goal Commitment ◽  
Validity Assessment

This article describes the development and initial psychometric evaluation of a measure of individual appraisal of readiness to initiate health behavior change. Items were developed from inductively generated data to index dimensions of individual appraisal of readiness. Quantification of Index of Readiness content validity was established through the ratings of 10 experts, following criteria established by Imle and Atwood (1988). The instrument was tested in successive steps with 146 individuals who were participating in an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program, for reliability and validity, including internal consistency reliability, and three forms of validity assessment (content validity, criterion-related validity, and construct validity). The three subscales of Revaluation of Lifestyle, Identification of Barriers, and Goal Commitment demonstrated internal consistency. Criterion-related and construct validity were substantiated. With refinement, this measure will provide a basis for nursing interventions designed to enhance individual motivation in relation to specific health behaviors.

Validation of the Beliefs of Physical Activity among Clergy (B-PAC) Instrument

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Gwin ◽  
Paul Branscum ◽  
E. Laurette Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Reliable Instrument ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

The purpose of this study was to create a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate theory-basedbeliefs towards physical activity among clergy members. Data were collected from 174 clergy that par-ticipated in a 15-item online and paper-based survey. Psychometric properties of the instrument includedconfirmatory factor analysis (construct validity), and cronbach’s alpha (internal consistency reliability).In addition, the stability (test-retest reliability) of each subscale was evaluated with a sub-sample of 30participants. Results show the instrument was both valid and reliable, and will be useful in future studiestargeting this population. Future implications are discussed.

A Clinical Screening Procedure for Assessing Consonant Cluster Production

1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Powell
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Individualized Treatment ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Consonant Cluster ◽  
Technical Adequacy ◽  
Clinical Screening ◽  
Factor Analytic

This paper describes a 64-item clinical screening task designed to assess the accuracy of children's consonant cluster productions. This procedure is designed to help speech-language pathologists develop intervention programs to improve children's production of clusters by facilitating the identification of error patterns. Once such patterns have been identified, individualized treatment programs designed to maximize generalization may be developed. The task was administered to 100 4- and 5-year-old subjects to assess the technical adequacy of the procedure. Internal consistency reliability of the task was high, and the procedure was also shown to assess an appropriately diverse array of word-initial and word-final consonant clusters. Finally, the construct validity of the task was supported by factor analytic procedures.

The Canfield Learning Styles Inventory: An Assessment of Its Usefulness in Accounting Education Research

2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J. Eide ◽  
Marshall A. Geiger ◽  
Bill N. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Education Research ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Accounting Education ◽  
Learning Styles Inventory ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Recent reviews of accounting education research have called for continued assessment of learning style inventories in accounting contexts (Geiger and Boyle 1992; Rebele et al. 1998). This study presents a critical evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Canfield Learning Styles Inventory (LSI), proposed by Francis et al. (1995) as an instrument for possible use by accounting educators. The study administered two versions (standard and scrambled) to 531 accounting majors from eight universities, applying a test-retest strategy after a 4–5 week interval. The versions were examined for internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, classification stability, and construct validity. We found moderate internal consistency (item analyses scores weaker than those reported by Canfield [1988]) and a substantial amount of learner-type classification instability across the two administrations. In terms of construct validity, two-factor solutions were not consistent with those reported by Canfield (1988). Further, three-factor solutions also were not consistent with Canfield's three learning domains. Therefore, along with limited theoretical support and the lack of empirical justification, we find little support for the use of the Canfield LSI in accounting education research.

Reliability and Construct Validity for Scale of Rejection of Christianity

2003 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy Robbins ◽  
Leslie J. Francis ◽  
Amanda Bradford
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Data Support ◽  
Francis Scale

A sample of 16 male and 30 female undergraduates completed the Greer and Francis Scale of Rejection of Christianity. The data support the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the scale for this sample.

scholarly journals Development and validation of a multi-lingual online questionnaire for surveying the COVID-19 prevention and control measures used in global workplaces

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Ingram ◽  
Yanbing Chen ◽  
Conor Buggy ◽  
Vicky Downey ◽  
Mary Archibald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Criterion Validity ◽  
And Control ◽  
Occupational Settings

Abstract Background Despite widespread COVID-19 vaccination programs, there is an ongoing need for targeted disease prevention and control efforts in high-risk occupational settings. This study aimed to develop, pilot, and validate an instrument for surveying occupational COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) measures available to workers in diverse geographic and occupational settings. Methods A 44-item online survey was developed in English and validated for face and content validity according to literature review, expert consultation, and pre-testing. The survey was translated and piloted with 890 workers from diverse industries in Canada, Ireland, Argentina, Poland, Nigeria, China, the US, and the UK. Odds ratios generated from univariable, and multivariable logistic regression assessed differences in ‘feeling protected at work’ according to gender, age, occupation, country of residence, professional role, and vaccination status. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted, and internal consistency reliability verified with Cronbach’s alpha. Hypothesis testing using two-sample t-tests verified construct validity (i.e., discriminant validity, known-groups technique), and criterion validity. Results After adjustment for occupational sector, characteristics associated with feeling protected at work included being male (AOR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.18,2.99), being over 55 (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.25,3.77) and working in a managerial position (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.99,4.83). EFA revealed nine key IPC domains relating to: environmental adjustments, testing and surveillance, education, costs incurred, restricted movements, physical distancing, masking, isolation strategies, and areas for improvement. Each domain showed sufficient internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha ≥0.60). Hypothesis testing revealed differences in survey responses by country and occupational sector, confirming construct validity (p < 0.001), criterion validity (p = 0.04), and discriminant validity (p < 0.001). Conclusions The online survey, developed in English to identify the COVID-19 protective measures used in diverse workplace settings, showed strong face validity, content validity, internal consistency, criterion validity, and construct validity. Translations in Chinese, Spanish, French, Polish, and Hindi demonstrated adaptability of the survey for use in international working environments. The multi-lingual tool can be used by decision makers in the distribution of IPC resources, and to guide occupational safety and health (OSH) recommendations for preventing COVID-19 and future infectious disease outbreaks.

scholarly journals Validation of a Filipino Translation of the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index Text Version

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Karina N. Gonzales-Carait ◽  
Rowena F. Genuino ◽  
Katrina Angela Z. Reyes ◽  
Belen L. Dofitas
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Skin Disease ◽  
Dermatology Life Quality Index ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability

Background. Skin diseases that are longstanding or highly symptomatic can have devastating consequences in the quality of life of children. There is a need to have a validated Filipino translation of a dermatology quality of life tool for young patients with skin diseases. Objectives. To assess the validity and reliability of the Indeks ng Kalidad ng Buhay Pang-dermatolohiya ng mga Bata (IKPaB), a Filipino translation of the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 4 to 16 years at a tertiary hospital outpatient department. The IKPaB was pretested and revised using focus group discussion until it was approved by the original developers for validation. Face validity was determined through cognitive debriefing interviews. Construct validity was determined by comparing IKPaB scores of participants with skin disease and without skin disease using Mann-Whitney U test. Criterion validity was determined by comparing IKPaB with a validated Filipino-translated PedsQL as the criterion, using Spearman rank correlation. Internal consistency reliability was determined using Cronbach’s coefficient. Multiple regression was used to correlate age, sex and disease duration. Results. The IKPaB was assessed to be comprehensible, clear, and culturally appropriate. Among 288 participants, it showed satisfactory construct validity (U = 8849, Z= 0.87; P = 0.89) and internal consistency reliability (α = 0.89), with a negative but weak correlation with the PedsQL® (rho= -0.300, P = 0.000). Conclusion. The IKPaB is a valid and reliable Filipino translation of CDLQI. We recommend further validation for use in clinical practice and research.

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