SCALE DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES WITHIN THE MSR DOMAIN: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE LITERATURE FROM 1996-2004.

Abstract

This study identified and analyzed the 31 empirical articles which included development of new scales as part of the research method published from 1996-2004 within the Management, Spirituality and Religion (MSR) domain. Utilizing Hinkin's (1995) methodology for evaluation of questionnaire scale development as a model, this study reviewed: 1) survey item generation; 2) scale development (including sampling, scale construction, and validity/reliability assessment); and 3) scale evaluation (including convergent and discriminant validity testing). The study found that the majority of studies (22 of 31, or 71 percent) reported detail on the item development process for the new scales used; the primary method for item development was deductive, based on existing theory. In the area of scale development, 55 percent of the studies reported using factor analysis for evaluation of constructs; of those that did, less than half of those reported information regarding factor retention criteria such as Eigen values. W...