Using Exploratory Structure Equation Modeling to validate a new measure of cohesion in the university classroom setting: The University Group Environment Questionnaire (UGEQ)

Abstract

Despite evidence that cohesion is a significant determinant of academic outcomes in the university setting, a validated multidimensional measure of cohesion adapted to this context is lacking. The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a cohesion questionnaire in the university setting based on Carron et al.’s (1985) multidimensional model. After conducting a pilot study and exploratory structural equation modeling analyses, a final 16-item version of the questionnaire was retained. The questionnaire presented strong fit to the data, good internal consistency, and measurement invariance across three different criteria. Findings suggest that researchers can use this questionnaire as a reliable, valid, and theoretically-grounded measure of cohesion in the university setting. Implications of these findings research are discussed.