The development and validation of an empirical scale to inform community diagnostics and change

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this research was to develop and validate a robust scale, based on the community capital framework, to provide an empirical measure of community perceptions. Design/methodology/approach The proposed measure was completed by a sample of Georgia citizens (n = 3374) representing a diverse cross-section of community characteristics. Findings Data indicate that the six proposed scales (natural, social, human, cultural, built-financial, and political) subsumed within the instrument measure unique underlying latent variables with evidence of internal validity through multiple analytic techniques. Practical implications This study represents an initial examination of a quantitative instrument – the Community Diagnostics + Social Impact (CD + SI) ToolkitTM – that can be used by researchers, educators, and community development professionals to measure the stocks of the various capitals within a community. Theoretical implications The theoretical implications of this study are that the CD + SI ToolkitTM holds promise as a valid and reliable instrument for establishing holistic community profiles, identifying targeted areas for in-depth research inquiry or programmatic design, guiding policy design and implementation, and ultimately evaluating the impacts of community development programs and policies. The CD + SI ToolkitTM addresses an omission in the literature and in broader community development. Originality/value While various frameworks such as the CCF exist to provide a more general blueprint for program development and assessment, the CD + SI ToolkitTM represents an effort to specifically quantify the community capitals and establish a replicative process for measuring community capitals. The results of this initial validation effort demonstrate the potential for such a tool.