Theoretical and Psychometric Analysis of the “Where I Am” Questionnaire

2021 ◽  
pp. 30-51
Author(s):  
L.Y. Dorfman ◽  
◽  
V.A. Gasimova ◽  
A.Y. Kalugin ◽  
◽  
...  

The subjective (mental) space (MS) is specified as a particular area of research. The issue of its operationalization and measurement are put forward. A mathematical prototype of MS has been proposed. In a simplified form, the mathematical space conceives of as Euclidean, metric, and linear. It extends to the MS. The operationalization of its measurements consisted in the construction of the "Where I am" questionnaire (WIQ). Three main properties of the WIQ were as follows. First, physical descriptions of space were in use as metaphors for the MS. Second, 4 scales, namely, “height,” “width,” “length,” and “volume,” specified the WIQ. Third, a procedure like a semantic differential administered the WIQ’s items to participants. Raw data were gathered from a sample consisting 177 students, men and women aged from 17 to 26. Participants expressed the degree of agreement with each item of the WIQ on the seven point grade ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree". Ultimately, the WIQ consisted of 36 items, namely, 9 items per the scale “height,” 9 items per the scale “width,” 7 items per the scale “length,” and 11 items per the scale “volume.” Descriptive statistics included means, standard deviations, chi square to define normality of variables, t test to as-sess differences between men and women. Psychometric reliability of the WIQ was estimated by intercorrelations of items in scales, Cronbach's alpha, omega, split half reliability, re test, as well as the WIQ’s discrimination. Exploratory factor analysis provided an estimation of the WIQ’s construct validity. Internal convergent and discriminant validity of the WIQ was gained by comparisons of items’ correlations with ‘own’ and ‘others’ scales. Contrast groups on creative thinking and intelligence computed external criterion validity of the WIQ by 1 way ANOVA. Obtained data were as follows. Extraction to specify the WIQ on above scales was psychometrically justified. The WIQ showed good measures of reliability. The WIQ yielded a 3 factorized structure as most evident of its construct validity and consistent with expected theoretical suggestions, despite of items of the scales “width” and “volume” entered the same factor. Findings maintained significant internal convergent and discriminant validity of the WIQ. It possessed either external criterion validity Creative fluency, originality, and fluid intelligence produced significant effects on the WIQ’s scales. Thus, the WIQ can be reasonable in scientific and applied studies.

Author(s):  
Karla Gallo-Giunzioni ◽  
María Prieto-Ursúa ◽  
Cristina Fernández-Belinchón ◽  
Octavio Luque-Reca

Given the scarcity of instruments in Spanish to measure forgiveness, two studies were conducted in this population to obtain validity evidence of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), an instrument that measures dispositional forgiveness of self, others, and situations. In the first study, 203 students (65% women) participated. After ensuring the linguistic adequacy and clarity of the wording of the items, a lack of congruence was found between the factors obtained in the exploratory factor analysis and the original theoretical structure of the HFS. A sample of 512 participants (63.9% women) attended the second study. This study aimed to analyze the construct validity of the HFS using confirmatory factor analysis through structural equation modelling and to explore convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity. Of the different factorial configurations tested (including the original), only a scale reduction to eight items, grouped into three factors, showed an appropriate fit. The HFS eight-item version also showed acceptable internal consistency, adequate convergent and discriminant validity, and criterion validity with respect to related variables. These findings suggest that the eight-item version of the HFS may be a valid and reliable tool for assessing forgiveness for self, others, and situations in Spanish adults.


2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Michael Crowson ◽  
Teresa K. DeBacker ◽  
Kendrick A. Davis

Abstract. Since the 1960s Rokeach's conception and measurement of dogmatism has dominated the landscape of dogmatism research. In 1996, Altemeyer proposed a new conception of dogmatism, suggesting that it is best defined as an unchangeable and unjustified certainty in one's beliefs. This conception was operationalized in the form of the DOG Scale with validity evidence generally coming in the form of relationships between the measure and several criterion-related variables. The present study assessed the factorial validity of the measure and tested for convergent and discriminant validity. Criterion-related validity evidence was also reconsidered. The DOG Scale demonstrated reasonable factorial, discriminant, convergent, and criterion-related validity, providing additional support for the measure's construct validity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110497
Author(s):  
Silje S. Hukkelberg ◽  
Ane Nærde

Although fathers are increasingly involved in childrearing, less is known about how parental stress is perceived among mothers and fathers separately. The present study investigated the construct validity of the PSS in a community-based sample of Norwegian father–mother dyads with a child aged 4. A total of 1030 mothers and fathers ( N = 515 dyads) responded to the PSS, which is a much used instrument that assesses stress related to childrearing across 18 items. Construct validity was investigated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and the multitrait–multimethod approach (MTMM). The results revealed that six of the items showed extensive ceiling-effects for both parents, and were excluded from further analysis. Dimensionality was examined for the remaining 12 PSS items. The results supported a two-factor solution for both fathers and mothers, reflecting parental stressors (9 items) and lack of rewards (3 items). The MTMM approach indicated convergent and discriminant validity across traits (Parental stressors and Lack of rewards) and methods (father vs mother rating). We also explored the network of PSS items for mothers and fathers, and found both similarities and differences. Overall, the results of the factor analyses have implications for the use of the PSS. The networks of PSS suggest that some items may be especially important when addressing parental stress with mothers and fathers.


2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee-Ann Greyling ◽  
Deléne Visser ◽  
Linda Fourie

The aim of the study was to examine the construct validity of an assessment centre. The sample included 138 individuals who participated in a one-day call centre team leader assessment centre. Nine competency dimensions were rated using six exercises. Correlations and a principle axis factor analysis were utilised to study the convergent and discriminant validity of the dimension ratings. The results showed that the ratings clustered according to exercises rather than to dimensions (traits), thereby indicating a substantial amount of method variance. A further factor analysis of the nine competency dimensions yielded two factors that were named interpersonal and problem solving. Implications for the design of assessment centres are discussed. Opsomming Die doel van die studie was om die konstrukgeldigheid van ’n takseersentrum te ondersoek. Die steekproef het uit 138 persone bestaan wat aan ’n eendagtakseersentrum vir oproepsentrumgroepleiers deelgeneem het. Ses oefeninge is gebruik om nege bevoegdheidsdimensies te meet. Korrelasies en ’n hoofasfaktorontleding is gebruik om die konvergente en diskriminante geldigheid van die dimensiebeoordelings te bestudeer. Die resultate het getoon dat die beoordelings volgens oefeninge eerder as dimensies (eienskappe) gegroepeer het. Hierdie bevinding dui op ’n hoë mate van metodevariansie. ’n Verdere faktorontleding van die nege bevoegdheidsdimensies het twee faktore, wat as interpersoonlik en probleemoplossend benoem is, opgelewer. Implikasies vir die ontwerp van takseersentrums word bespreek.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-28
Author(s):  
ZUZANNA WALACH-BISTA

Background: This article presents the procedure of the elaboration and verification of the first Polish Sense of Team Efficacy Questionnaire (Kwestionariusz Poczucia Druzynowej Skutecznosci – KPDS). Material/Methods: Two research stages involved a total of 373 professional athletes. Based on the collected data, the internal structure and psychometric properties of the instrument were established. Results: As a result of the conducted statistical analyses, a questionnaire was obtained. Analyses confirmed the stability of the internal structure of the questionnaire. The instrument also obtained satisfactory coefficients of reliability (using Cronbach’s alpha internal reliability coefficient) and construct validity. In order to establish the convergent and discriminant validity of the KPDS, the analysis of the multitrait-multimethod matrix was applied, using the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ). Predictive validity was established using the result obtained in a match played directly after the conducted study. Conclusions: The obtained results confirmed the relevance of creating the KPDS. The questionnaire was made up of 21 items representing 4 subscales: fitness, preparation, effort and endurance. Calculation of a general score for the KPDS also proved to be possible.


Author(s):  
David Watson ◽  
Michael W. O’Hara

This chapter examines key symptom criteria of major depression. It begins by developing a comprehensive measurement model based on six symptom dimensions: dysphoria, lassitude, insomnia, suicidality, appetite loss, and appetite gain. It then demonstrates that these symptom dimensions are robust and show impressive convergent and discriminant validity across multiple methods (self-reports, clinicians’ ratings, interview assessments). Three types of symptoms—dysphoria, lassitude, and suicidality—exhibit strong criterion validity and significant specificity in relation to diagnoses of major depression. In contrast, symptoms of insomnia and appetite disturbance display unimpressive criterion validity and poor specificity. Moreover, these nonspecific symptoms provided little or no incremental information in logistic regression analyses. Taken together, these results suggest that the diagnosis of depression can be improved by focusing primarily on strong and specific symptoms (such as dysphoria and lassitude) and deemphasizing weak and nonspecific symptoms (i.e., insomnia and appetite disturbance).


Assessment ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 706-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate E. Walton ◽  
Lina Cherkasova ◽  
Richard D. Roberts

Forced choice (FC) measures may be a desirable alternative to single stimulus (SS) Likert items, which are easier to fake and can have associated response biases. However, classical methods of scoring FC measures lead to ipsative data, which have a number of psychometric problems. A Thurstonian item response theory (TIRT) model has been introduced as a way to overcome these issues, but few empirical validity studies have been conducted to ensure its effectiveness. This was the goal of the current three studies, which used FC measures of domains from popular personality frameworks including the Big Five and HEXACO, and both statement and adjective item stems. We computed TIRT and ipsative scores and compared their validity estimates. Convergent and discriminant validity of the scores were evaluated by correlating them with SS scores, and test-criterion validity evidence was evaluated by examining their relationships with meaningful outcomes. In all three studies, there was evidence for the convergent and test-criterion validity of the TIRT scores, though at times this was on par with the validity of the ipsative scores. The discriminant validity of the TIRT scores was problematic and was often worse than the ipsative scores.


2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carukshi Arambepola ◽  
Peter Scarborough ◽  
Mike Rayner

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the validity of nutrient profiling Model WXYfm – developed for the purpose of regulating the promotion of ‘less healthy’ foods to children. The model ranks foods according to their healthiness and categorises foods into ‘healthier’ and ‘less healthy’ foods.DesignConvergent and discriminant validity was tested by comparing the way Model WXYfm categorises foods with the way the UK’s national food guide – the Balance of Good Health (BGH) – categorises foods. Construct validity was assessed by testing a hypothesis relating the constructs of ‘healthiness’ of foods (as measured by Model WXYfm) and the ‘healthiness’ of diets (measured using the Diet Quality Index) and assessing whether this hypothesis was confirmed or refuted by using data on the dietary patterns of subjects (n= 1117) of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of adults carried out in Great Britain in 2000–01.ResultsModel WXYfm showed good convergent and discriminant validity: the level of agreement between the way the model categorises foods and the way the BGH categorises foods was good (κ= 0.69). Model WXYfm also showed good construct validity: the energy intake from ‘less healthy’ foods amongst subjects with the least healthy diets was nearly twice the energy intake from ‘less healthy’ foods amongst the subjects with the healthiest diets.ConclusionsModel WXYfm demonstrated good validity in categorising foods in a way that is related to the healthiness of diets both recommended and achieved. The methods for assessing the validity of a nutrient profile model used in this paper have not, to our knowledge, been used before.


1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 787-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simo Salminen

The Kramer-Froehle controversy about the construct validity of FIRO-B questionnaire was evaluated with a multitrait-multimethod design. 113 women and 26 men completed the FIRO-B questionnaire. After the examiner had given a lecture on the FIRO-dimensions, the subjects rated themselves on these dimensions. Only three out of six intercorrelations on the validity diagonal were statistically significant. Of the discriminant validity comparisons 80% met the required criterion. Our results confirmed Kramer's results about the construct validity of the FIRO-B questionnaire.


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