The Development of an Instrument Measuring Preservice Physical Education Teacher Attitudes Toward Fitness Tests in Schools

Abstract

The study was designed to develop an instrument to measure preservice physical education teacher (PPET) attitudes toward fitness tests in schools. Three stages were utilized in developing the instrument: (a) Phase 1 (definition of attitudes, component conceptualization, and item development); (b) Phase 2 (content validity study); and (c) Phase 3 (internal consistency reliability and construct validity study). Doctoral students (N = 20) served on the expert panel and participated in the content validity study. They were asked to organize items into the domain areas of the instrument. Participants for the reliability and validity study were 613 PPETs at 10 state universities. Confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analyses were used to provide evidence for internal consistency reliability, and validity of the instrument to measure PPET attitudes toward fitness tests. The instrument includes an affective component, which contains 1 subdomain, "Enjoyment of Fitness Tests," as well as a cognitive component, which contains a subdomain, "Importance and Usefulness of Fitness Tests." This study will lead to a better understanding of attitudes of PPETs in this area and may eventually lead to recommendations for physical education teacher education programs.