A Rasch analysis of the Revised Study Process Questionnaire in an Australian osteopathy student cohort

Abstract

There are a number of questionnaires designed to capture a students’ self-reported learning approach. One example is the Study Process Questionnaire and its modified version, the 2-factor revised Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F). Students in the first year of the 2014 and 2015 cohorts in the osteopathy program at (institution) completed the R-SPQ-2F at the commencement of their course. Rasch analysis was employed to evaluate the R-SPQ-2F internal structure. Reliability estimations were calculated for both subscales using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. Both the Deep and Surface subscales failed to fit the Rasch model at initial analysis. Modifications included item rescoring, removal of misfitting responses, and removal of one item from both subscales. After modification, both subscales fit the Rasch model and demonstrated unidimensionality. Reliability estimations were acceptable and consistent with previous literature. The study has provided evidence for the internal structure of the R-SPQ-2F in this cohort.