Internal Consistency Indices Research Articles

Assessing the Psychometric Properties of the French-Canadian Version of the Psychological Safety Climate Questionnaire (PSC-12)

BackgroundPsychosocial safety climate (PSC) refers to the collective belief among workers regarding the protection and support of their psychological health and safety by senior management. Despite the recognized importance of PSC in mitigating exposure to detrimental psychosocial risk factors at work, a validated instrument in French is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the French-Canadian version of the Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC)-12 and its associations with job satisfaction and psychological distress. MethodA cross-sectional validation study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PSC-12. Using cross-sectional data from an online survey of adults in a French-Canadian university (n = 1,784), the psychometric properties of the PSC-12, a 12-item questionnaire, were assessed. Internal consistency, validity, and factor structure were examined through exploratory factor analysis conducted using SAS v.9.4 software. ResultsConfirming the original four-factor structure, the French-Canadian version of the PSC-12 demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α of 0.95) and validity indices. Its convergent and divergent validity were evidenced by a positive association with job satisfaction (r = 0.34, p < 0.05) and the negative association with psychological distress (r = -0.50, p < 0.05). ConclusionsThe French-Canadian adaptation of the PSC-12 maintains cross-cultural validity, providing a validated and concise tool for assessment within the French-Canadian community. Practical Applications: By facilitating the prevention of mental health problems among workers, this questionnaire has the potential to contribute to alleviating burdens for individuals, workplaces, and society.

Validation of the JH-SEFAC Questionnaire on Knowledge on Insulin Management by Patients with Diabetes in Community Pharmacies

To review and validate a questionnaire on knowledge of injectable insulin management (JH-SEFAC) by patients with diabetes for use in community pharmacies. Study design: cross-sectional observational in Spanish community pharmacies during the first half of 2023. Inclusion criteria: patients with diabetes, of legal age, on insulin treatment. Questionnaire design: a nominal group of community pharmacists reviewed and piloted the initial questionnaire to determine its feasibility. It was approved by the CEIC of Aragón (PI22/375). Content validation: by a multidisciplinary group of experts in diabetes, using an ad hoc evaluation questionnaire of 10 questions (Likert scale of 1-5). Reliability: by means of the internal consistency index (Cronbach's alpha) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Reproducibility (test/retest): the results of the questionnaire administered twice 2-3 weeks apart to the group of patients were compared. Pharmacists members of the SEFAC Diabetes Working Group collaborated. Sample: calculated in 127 subjects (95% CI and precision of 10%). 20 community pharmacies from 13 autonomous communities included 131 patients. The expert assessment was 4.52 out of 5 (90.4%). The Keiser-Meyer-Olkin test was 0.626 and Bartlett's test was significant (p<0.001). The Cronbach's alpha of the global questionnaire was 0.804 and the ICC was 0.902. The mean score of the questionnaire was 15.98 out of 31 points. The JH-SEFAC questionnaire was validated to evaluate the management of insulin injectables, providing community pharmacists with a valuable tool for therapeutic education.

Nurses Wasteful Behaviors Attitude Scale: Validity and Reliability Study

Objective: This study aims to develop the "Nurses Wasteful Behaviors Attitude Scale" as a new measurement tool to evaluate the attitudes of nurses’ wasteful behaviours. Methods: The first phase of this study was carried out between May and September 2019, by conducting in-depth interviews with 60 healthcare professionals working in a university, a public and a private hospital, to provide maximum diversity using quantitative design. In the second stage of the research, a 56-item scale draft was created using the qualitative data. Using this draft, data was collected from 408 healthcare professionals working in the hospitals that formed the sample between January and March 2020. As a result of exploratory factor analysis, a scale consisting of 5 factors and 24 items was obtained. In the third and final stage of the research, to prevent bias in the scale items and to work with nurses, the literature was scanned and updated and an item pool consisting of 52 items was created. After the content validity results, a 50-item scale draft was obtained. Between February and December 2022, data was obtained from 503 nurses online. Results: The content validity index of the scale is 0.96. According to the exploratory factor analysis, the scale consists of 30 items and five sub-dimensions; sub-dimensions explained 58.17% of the total variance. The Cronbach's alpha value is .93. Conclusion: The scale has high internal consistency, time invariance, and fit indices. This scale can help take initiatives to prevent wasteful behaviors in hospitals and ensure sustainability.

New insights into validity, reliability, and measurement invariance of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire 23

Background: People affected by heart failure (HF) often exhibit a poor health status, which places a great deal of burden on the healthcare systems. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) 23 is the most used tool to measure the health status in this population; however, its psychometric properties have not been thoroughly established.Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the KCCQ-23 in a European cohort of HF patients.Methods: 510 patients (median age 74 years, IQR=18, 58% males) completed the KCCQ-23 along with clinical and psychosocial measures. Factorial validity was established with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); omega and model-based internal consistency indexes were computed to examine the internal consistency of the scale. Convergent validity was established by correlating the KCCQ-23 scores with clinical and psychosocial measures. Measurement invariance tests across those with preserved vs reduced ejection fraction were conducted within a multigroup framework.Results: Two CFA solutions were tested, which confirmed the theoretical and empirical models postulated by the original author. The internal consistency coefficients for the latent dimensions were adequate (Omega range =0.77-0.93; internal consistency coefficient =0.89-96). KCCQ-23 scores were found to be correlated with ejection fraction, NYHA levels, quality of life, self-care confidence, anxiety and depression, and symptom burden, supporting its convergent validity. Finally, the KCCQ-23 was invariant across ejection fraction levels, both in the theoretical and empirical factor solution.Conclusion: Overall, this study provides evidence of satisfactory psychometric properties of the KCCQ-23, promoting its use in clinical settings and research fields.

Dimensionality and psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Diabetes Impact and Device Satisfaction (DIDS) scale.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is a chronic condition with rising prevalence. The only treatment for individuals with T1D to prevent diabetes-related complications is exogenous insulin administration. Diabetes-related technology has significantly contributed to the management of T1D by reducing the burden of living with diabetes and providing greater flexibility in insulin management during daily activities. This study presents the psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Diabetes Impact and Device Satisfaction (DIDS) Scale, which assesses satisfaction with the use of an insulin delivery device and the impact of diabetes management on individuals with T1D. A sample of 101 adults with T1D, mostly females (71.3%), with a mean age of 38.4 years (± 11.7), completed the translated Greek version of DIDS (DIDS-Gr). Exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors: 'Device Satisfaction', 'Diabetes Management Impact', and (new factor) 'Device Usability'. The internal consistency indices (Cronbach's alpha) for the subscales were 0.86, 0.71, and 0.60, respectively. Furthermore, convergent validity was demonstrated with moderate to high positive correlations between the DIDS-Grand the Diabetes Quality of Life Brief Clinical Inventory (DQoL-BCI) and its subscales, while divergent validity was also confirmed with weaker correlations with the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Additionally, test-retest reliability and differential validity were present in our study. Therefore, DIDS-Gr is a valid and reliable measure for assessing the impact of diabetes on individuals with T1D and the satisfaction with the use of an insulin delivery device in Greece.

Validation of the parents’ version of the KINDLR and Kiddy Parents questionnaire in a South African context

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the usefulness of the parent version of the KINDLR and the additional items of the Kiddy Parents questionnaire in the South-African context and to validate it as an appropriate tool for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL).MethodThe ExAMIN Youth SA study was designed to investigate lifestyle behaviours, including psychosocial factors that may adversely impact on cardiovascular health of children. Construct validity was examined by using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, while internal consistency was tested by Cronbach’s alpha. The final factor structure was confirmed by model fit indices.ResultsThe study included children (n = 1088) aged between 5 and 10 years in North-West, South Africa. The reliability coefficients of the original factors could not be reproduced in this data set, with the Cronbach’s alphas ranging between 0.46 and 0.78. With exploratory factor analysis, including the additional items, our data supported a 7-factor structure with acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.68–0.79; Omega: 0.75–0.85) and acceptable model fit indices (CFI: 0.91; TLI: 0.90; RMSEA: 0.05; SRMR: 0.07). Two factors (emotional wellbeing and everyday functioning) further split into separate factors for positive and negative experiences related to each of these dimensions.ConclusionWe confirmed a new factor structure of the parent version of the KINDLR and the additional items of the Kiddy Parents questionnaire, which can be used in the African context. Although the new factor structure has great overlap with the original structure, some items did not contribute to the factors as expected. Language and cultural differences between the original German group and the current South African study group resulted in a different factor structure.

Serious game for cognitive assessment. Validation of a psychometric embedded test

The evaluation of performance in serious video games is crucial when it comes to providing empirical evidence of the effectiveness of this type of educational tools. In turn, the design of psychometric tests demands specific procedures aimed at estimating validity levels. This paper presents the validation process of a psychometric test embedded in a video game, for the assessment of executive functions, understood as a set of cognitive processes associated with the functioning of the frontal lobes, including planning, inhibition, flexibility and monitoring. The sample consisted of 171 participants aged between 5 and 12 years (Mean=8.27; SD=1.589), students at elementary school. The analyses performed included Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald's Omega internal consistency indexes and an Exploratory Factor Analysis. The results indicate good levels of reliability and excellent fit indices for a two-factor model

Validation of the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction scale in transport for urban commuters (BPNS-TUC) in Spain

The aim of this paper is to present a validity and reliability study of the translation into Spanish and adaptation to the transport planning domain of the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction scale to assess autonomy, competence, and relatedness satisfaction of urban commuters associated to the use of habitual travel modes, expanding past studies that only focused on a particular population of study and type of travel behavior. An explanatory analysis of the main relations found is also reported, including micro-mobility and shared travel options. To this end, data collected by an online survey during the summer of 2021 from 949 respondents who provided valid data is used. The average age of respondents was 42, and women were slightly underrepresented (40.4%). Factor structure is analyzed and a three-factor ESEM model supports the definition of the constructs. Internal consistency indices show adequate values for the three factors. No statistically significant differences of factor mean values are observed according to sex. The youngest respondents associate the highest values of satisfaction to travel modes when commuting, while the old adults score the lowest values. Active travel modes are associated to the highest values of satisfaction. On the other hand, urban bus is related to the lowest values of satisfaction. Private e-scooter and shared mobility are associated with a higher satisfaction than driving a private car. Future work and practical applications are identified.

Health behavior inventory – short form: a Chinese validation study using classical test theory and item response theory

BackgroundIt is imperative to use a validated tool to measure and understand health behavior as it greatly impacts health status. It has been demonstrated that the Health Behavior Inventory - Short Form (HBI-SF) is valid in several countries. The purpose of this study was to translate the HBI-SF into Chinese and test its psychometric properties.MethodsThis study employed a two-phase methodology. The phase one entailed the cross-cultural adaptation of the HBI-SF, while the subsequent phase evaluated the psychometric properties of the scale. This evaluation encompassed classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT) tests to assess reliability and validity. It involved 1058 participants, of whom 1036 completed the questionnaire successfully. Out of these, 518 were analyzed for CTT, along with 518 for IRT.ResultsThe S-CVI was found to be 0.935, while the I‐CVI ranged from 0.889 to 1.000. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis suggested the goodness-of-fit indices for the four-factor model was acceptable. Regarding the subscales, the average variance extracted (AVE) and Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio of Correlations (HTMT) matrix also met the cutoff values (AVE > 0.5 and HTMI < 0.85). Furthermore, the internal consistency and composite reliability indices of all factors were greater than 0.7. Infit and/or outfit values indicated that all items fitted the Rasch model. The Wright map revealed that the average person measures for the participants (mean = − 0.994, SD = 0.430) were comparatively lower than the average item measures (mean = 0.000, SD = 0.257). The person separation reliability values for the four factors ranged from 0.600 to 0.746, indicating an acceptable level of reliability. Two items showed differential item functioning.ConclusionsThe findings derived from both CTT and IRT analyses demonstrate favorable levels of reliability and validity for the Chinese version of the HBI-SF.

Psychometric properties of the KCCQ-12 in an european cohort of patients with heart failure

Abstract Background Despite medical advances, patients with heart failure continue to suffer from poor quality of life due to worsening symptoms and functional limitations. Therefore, it is important to understand the multidimensional facets of quality of life in these patients. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire is a commonly used quality of life assessment tool worldwide. However, However, there is still a lack of knowledge about its psychometric properties. Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the KCCQ-12 and its measurement invariance in a cohort of European patients with heart failure. Methods Participants (n=510, median age=72, IQR=18, 58% males) completed the KCCQ-12 alongside measures of clinical psychosocial severity. A confirmatory factor analysis was used to establish factorial validity; internal consistency was determined using the Omega coefficient and the model-based internal consistency coefficient. Zero-order correlations between the KCCQ-12 scores and clinical and psychosocial measures were performed to test convergent validity. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test measurement invariance across patients with preserved vs reduced ejection fraction. Results Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a four-factor solution, with the domains of physical limitations, symptom frequency, quality of life, and social interference. Internal consistency was excellent (Omega coefficients ranging from 0.83 and 0.90, and internal consistency index of 0.94). The KCCQ-12 scores significantly correlated with ejection fraction, New York Heart Association class, quality of life, anxiety, depression, symptom burden, and the KCCQ-23 Overall Summary score, which adequately supported the convergent validity of the KCCQ-12. Measurement invariance was confirmed at the partial scalar and strict level. Conclusions These findings support the validity and reliability of the KCCQ-12, both in patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction. Hence, this version can be confidently used both in research and clinical practice to measure quality of life of heart failure patients.

Psychometric analysis of the kansas city cardiomiopathy questionnaire-23 in a european population

Abstract Background People affected by heart failure (HF) often exhibit poor quality of life, which places a great deal of burden on the healthcare systems. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ)-23 is one of the most widespread instruments to measure quality of life in this population. So far, its psychometric properties have been investigated by a broad array of research, but the overall findings reveal inconsistency of the factorial structure and lack of rigorous psychometric testing. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the KCCQ-23 in a European cohort of HF patients. Methods The data used for this study were collected for the MOTIVATE-HF study, which was a three-arm, multicenter, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of motivational interviewing for improving self-care in HF. A group of 510 patients (median age 74 years, IQR=18, 58% males) completed the KCCQ-23 along with clinical and psychosocial measures. Factorial validity was established with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); omega and model-based internal consistency indexes were computed to examine the internal consistency of the scale. Convergent validity was established by correlating the KCCQ-23 scores with several clinical and psychosocial measures. Measurement invariance testing was conducted within a multigroup framework across patients with preserved vs those with reduced ejection fraction. Results Two CFA solutions were tested, which confirmed the theoretical and empirical models postulated by the original author. The internal consistency coefficients for the latent dimensions were adequate (Omega range =0.77-0.93; internal consistency coefficient =0.89-96)- KCCQ-23 scores were found to be correlated with ejection fraction, NYHA levels, quality of life, self-care confidence, anxiety and depression, and symptom burden, supporting its convergent validity. Finally, the KCCQ-23 was invariant across ejection fraction levels, both in the theoretical and empirical factor solution. Conclusion Overall, this study provides for the first time evidence that the KCCQ-23 has satisfactory psychometric properties, promoting its use in clinical settings and research to investigate the quality of life in patients with HF.

Refonte de la version québécoise de l’Échelle artistique de l’inventaire typologique de caractéristiques personnelles (EA-ITCP-72R)

In order to facilitate the evaluation of professional orientation, John L. Holland developed vocational theory according to a hexagonal model postulating that professional personality and work environments are subdivided into six distinct types in Western societies. In addition to their interests, the personality of the individual, that is to say their personal characteristics, contributes to a better understanding of the vocational choice. The main objective of this study concerns the redesign of the Quebec version of the Artistic Scale of the Typological Inventory of Personal Characteristics (EA-ITCP-72-R). For this study, 308 Franco-Quebec participants were recruited. The EA-ITCP-72-R includes 12 personal characteristics. Exploratory factor analysis also supports that the Artistic Scale of the Holland's RIASEC model is not unidimensional and can be subdivided into three dimensions. The internal consistency indices of each dimension are also adequate. To conclude, being based on Holland's vocational theory, the EA-ITCP-72-R makes it possible to determine the vocational profile in relation to the professional personality of the Artistic type. In addition, the presence of dimensions makes it possible to refine the profile in order to illustrate the individuality of the respondent with greater precision and to ensure the greatest adequacy with the type of job sought.

PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE KCCQ–12 IN A EUROPEAN COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE

Abstract Background Despite medical advances, patients with heart failure continue to suffer from poor quality of life due to worsening symptoms and functional limitations. Therefore, it is important to understand the multidimensional facets of quality of life in these patients. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire is a commonly used quality of life assessment tool worldwide. However, However, there is still a lack of knowledge about its psychometric properties. Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the KCCQ–12 and its measurement invariance in a cohort of European patients with heart failure. Methods Participants (n=510, median age=72, IQR=18, 58% males) completed the KCCQ–12 alongside measures of clinical psychosocial severity. A confirmatory factor analysis was used to establish factorial validity; internal consistency was determined using the Omega coefficient and the model–based internal consistency coefficient. Zero–order correlations between the KCCQ–12 scores and clinical and psychosocial measures were performed to test convergent validity. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test measurement invariance across patients with preserved vs reduced ejection fraction. Results Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a four–factor solution, with the domains of physical limitations, symptom frequency, quality of life, and social interference. Internal consistency was excellent (Omega coefficients ranging from 0.83 and 0.90, and internal consistency index of 0.94). The KCCQ–12 scores significantly correlated with ejection fraction, New York Heart Association class, quality of life, anxiety, depression, symptom burden, and the KCCQ–23 Overall Summary score, which adequately supported the convergent validity of the KCCQ–12. Measurement invariance was confirmed at the partial scalar and strict level. Conclusions These findings support the validity and reliability of the KCCQ–12, both in patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction. Hence, this version can be confidently used both in research and clinical practice to measure quality of life of heart failure patients.

Psychometric testing of the caregiver contribution to self-care of coronary heart disease inventory.

Caregivers are important contributors to the self-care of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The aims of this study are to describe the development and psychometric properties of the caregiver contribution to self-care of coronary heart disease inventory (CC-SC-CHDI). The CC-SC-CHDI was developed from the patient version of the scale, the Self-care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory (SC-CHDI) and translated into Italian using forward and backward translation. Baseline data from the HEARTS-IN-DYADS study were used. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess factorial validity; Cronbach's alpha and the model-based internal consistency index were used to test internal consistency reliability, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to test convergent validity, by investigating the association between the CC-SC-CHDI and the SC-CHDI scores. We included 131 caregivers (mean age 55 years, 81.2% females, 74% married) of patients affected by CHD (mean age 66 years, 80.2% males, 74% married). The CFA confirmed two factors in the caregiver contribution to self-care maintenance scale ("consulting behaviors" and "autonomous behaviors"), one factor for the CC to self-care monitoring scale, and two factors in the CC to self-care management scale ("consulting behaviors and problem-solving behaviors"). Reliability estimates were adequate for each scale (Cronbach's alpha and model-based internal consistency indexes ranging from 0.73 to 0.90). Significant and positive correlations were observed between CC-SC-CHDI and SC-CHDI scales. The CC-SC-CHDI has satisfactory validity and reliability and can be used confidently in clinical settings and research to assess caregiver contributions to CHD self-care.

Construction and validation of the physical science learning motivation scale among Moroccan middle school students

This paper presents two studies concerning developing and validating an Arabic version of a scale that measures motivation toward learning physical science in Moroccan middle school students. The scale is based on the self-determination theory (Deci &amp;amp; Ryan, 1985). It comprises five dimensions: intrinsic motivation, three forms of extrinsic motivation (identified regulation, introjected regulation, and external regulation), and amotivation. The exploratory factor analysis (study 1) was conducted on a sample of 144 students, and the confirmatory factor analysis (study 2) was performed on another sample of 404 students. The results of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support a five-factor structure. The results also reveal that the scale and five factors have satisfactory internal consistency indices. Moreover, the construct validity is supported by correlations between the five factors that comprise the scale. All the results thus support the psychometric qualities of the physical science learning motivation scale.

3D-Animated Cartoon Instructional Package and Effective Teaching of Selected Topics in Financial Accounting in Pubic Secondary Schools, South-South, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the difference in students’ academic performance in financial accounting when taught using 3D-cartoon animation package and a conventional approach. The selected topics for the study include transaction analysis, accounting equation, cash book and ledger. The research design the researchers adopted for this study was quasi quasi-experimental method and the area of the study was South-South, Nigeria. The population of the study consisted of 242,052. The sample size was 192 and a purposive sampling technique was used for the study. The Financial Accounting Achievement Test (FAAT) was used to collect data for the study. The internal consistency index of .92 was obtained using test-retest. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer research questions and ANCOVA to test the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. Among other recommendations made was that the government should encourage schools to embrace the latest teaching strategies by way of providing the 3D instructional package for use in schools.

Validation of the Slovenian version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale as a screening tool for the detection of mild cognitive impairment

ObjectiveThe Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) is commonly used for detecting individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of the Slovenian MoCA as a screening tool for MCI and to determine the optimal cut-off point to detect MCI in the elderly population.MethodsMini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), MoCA, and neuropsychological testing assessment were conducted on 93 individuals aged ≥ 60 years. MCI was found in 35 individuals with 58 cognitively asymptomatic controls. Cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity of MoCA were calculated with the receiver operating characteristic curve.ResultsMCI and healthy individuals did not differ with respect to age and education. Healthy individuals (M = 24.5, SD = 1.7) performed significantly better on MoCA compared to MCI individuals (M = 21.4, SD = 3.2) (p < 0.001). The Cronbach’s α of MoCA as an index of internal consistency was 0.64. MoCA distinguished between healthy controls and MCI individuals with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 74%, using a cut-off of 23/24 points.ConclusionThe Slovenian version of MoCA demonstrates an optimal cut-off value of 23/24 points for detecting older individuals with MCI. As a screening tool for MCI, its better diagnostic accuracy makes it preferable to using MMSE.

Validation of intercultural competence scale in the Ethiopian context: Exploring the factor structure and psychometric properties among university students.

Although intercultural competence is a crucial factor for university students' academic achievement and inter-ethnic conflict resolution, psychometrically sound intercultural competence scale is not available in the Ethiopian context. The aim of the present study was to translate the original English version of intercultural competence into Amharic language and validate the scale in the Ethiopian context. In the processes of retaining culturally equivalent translated measure symmetrical approach was used. Data were collected from 476 (Male = 244 and Female = 232) arbitrarily selected university students with an age mean of 22.35 enrolled in undergraduate degree programs at Ambo University. The total sample was randomly split into two equal-sized group to execute exploratory factor analysis (EFA, N = 238) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA, N = 238). The result of the study showed that both EFA and CFA supported a significantly correlated four-factor model of intercultural competence (Attitude, Awareness, Knowledge, and Skills). Moreover, the Amharic version of the intercultural competence scale showed good psychometric properties in terms of content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and good fit indices to the data. This generally justifies the use of the Amharic version intercultural competence scale in the Ethiopian context. To satisfy the needs of the labor market, universities in Ethiopia should promote intercultural dialogues that improve the intercultural competence of university students.

APPS-S: A Tool for Measuring the Attitudes Toward Prostitution and Women in Prostitution in the Spanish Population.

This study was designed with the purpose of testing the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Attitudes toward Prostitution and Prostitutes Scale through three studies with different samples. The first one explores the test's dimensional structure or constructs validity through confirmatory factor analysis, as well as internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The second one focuses on discriminant and criteria validity. Finally, the third one examines the scale's convergent validity and its sensitivity to detecting changes. The results support two subscales with an optimal index of internal consistency, structural stability over time, and discriminative power between groups of participants. It is, therefore, an adequate tool for adults as well as young people and teenagers, and for detecting changes in the context of intervention or awareness workshops.

Evaluating Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha and Testing Its Identity to Scale Reliability: A Direct Bayesian Confirmatory Factor Analysis Procedure

ABSTRACT A Bayesian statistics-based approach is discussed that can be used for direct evaluation of the popular Cronbach’s coefficient alpha as an internal consistency index for multiple-component measuring instruments, as well as for testing its identity to scale reliability. The method represents an application of confirmatory factor analysis within the Bayesian inference framework and is widely applicable in empirical measurement research using popular latent variable modeling software. The procedure readily furnishes posterior median point estimates and credible intervals of coefficient alpha. The approach also permits testing a necessary and sufficient condition for population equality of the alpha and scale reliability coefficients, and under its plausibility provides in addition a dependable means for estimation of instrument reliability. The outlined procedure is illustrated using numerical data.