An Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of an Advising Survey for Medical and Professional Program Students

Kenneth D Royal,Liara M Gonzalez

doi:10.5539/jedp.v6n1p195

Abstract

<p>The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a newly developed instrument intended to measure faculty competence as it pertains to their role as advisors, particularly in medical and professional programs. A total of 166 students completed the Faculty Advisor’s Skills and Behaviors Inventory (FASBI). The psychometric properties of the FASBI were evaluated using the Rasch Rating Scale Model. Results indicate the FASBI is a psychometrically-sound instrument capable of producing valid and reproducible measures.</p>

Highlights

Introduction1.1 Introduction of ProblemStudent advising plays a critical role in student development (Light, 2001; Pizzolato, 2008; Reinarz & Ehrlich, 2002) and good advising has continually been linked to students’ satisfaction with an institution (Baker & Griffin, 2010; Elliott & Healy, 2001; Freeman, 2008), and academic success (Campbell & Nutt, 2008; Museus & Ravello, 2010). Beggs, Bantham, and Taylor (2008) reported that college and university advising often influences students’ career decisions and direction as well
Given medical and health-related programs have somewhat different needs, we developed a new survey based on elements we believed to be relevant for these types of programs
Effective faculty advising remains a problem in many colleges and universities, including medical and health professions programs

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Introduction of ProblemStudent advising plays a critical role in student development (Light, 2001; Pizzolato, 2008; Reinarz & Ehrlich, 2002) and good advising has continually been linked to students’ satisfaction with an institution (Baker & Griffin, 2010; Elliott & Healy, 2001; Freeman, 2008), and academic success (Campbell & Nutt, 2008; Museus & Ravello, 2010). Beggs, Bantham, and Taylor (2008) reported that college and university advising often influences students’ career decisions and direction as well. To this end, research by Hossler and colleagues (2009) and Kramer (2003) note that most colleges and universities in the United States do not assess advising. Research by Hossler and colleagues (2009) and Kramer (2003) note that most colleges and universities in the United States do not assess advising This is unfortunate because the failure to evaluate the quality of advising at one’s institution conveys a message to the faculty that advising is of low priority or is undervalued. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a newly developed instrument intended to measure faculty competence as it pertains to their role as advisors, in medical and professional programs (e.g., veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, physical therapy, etc.)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion