Principal Axis Factor Research Articles

Global cross-sectional survey on higher education institutions: Analysing the assessment of instrument for evaluating academic expertise on teaching, research and community service

Globally, the discussion on expertise assessment in higher education institutions has long been a topic in academic literature. However, there is currently no specific measure of academic expertise based on the roles of academics in carrying out their core functions, such as teaching, research, and community service. A recent literature review proposed twenty-nine academic expertise criteria in assessing the three academic tasks. The present study conducted a validity test of these proposed criteria by employing exploratory factor analysis and principal axis factoring. The study sample comprised three hundred and thirty-one respondents, who were gathered through a worldwide survey. The results indicate that the division of the three academic functions is shown in the final model of the measure. This model consists of three factors, each encompassing various indicators of teaching, research, and community service. The study contributes to the validitation of the academic expertise criteria, which can be further used in developing the expertise scale adjusted to higher education institutions.

Development and reliability and validity testing of a medication literacy scale for medical college students

BackgroundIrrational drug use has become a global problem threatening human health. As future health professionals, medical college students’ medication literacy (ML) is critical. Their mastery of medication-related knowledge will directly affect public medication safety in the future.MethodsThe initial scale was developed through a literature review and was modified through expert consultation and student interviews to form the initial scale with 14 items. In 2020, a questionnaire survey was conducted among students in a medical college for item analysis, reliability test, validity test and other analyses.ResultsThe total Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.826 and split-half reliability was 0.852. The Cronbach’s α coefficients for functional medication literacy, communicative medication literacy, and critical medication literacy were 0.901, 0.858, and 0.851, respectively. The item-level content validity index (I-CVI) ranged from 0.833 to 1.000 (≥ 0.78). Factor analysis of 14 items showed that KMO = 0. 852(> 0.7) and Bartlett’s spherical test p < 0.001, indicating that the data are very suitable for factor analysis. Three principal axis factors were extracted by principal component analysis, and the total variance interpretation rate was 69.031% (> 40%). The confirmatory factor analysis identified a three-factor model and showed goodness of fit indices for the scale: The χ²/df = 2.623, The Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) = 0.905, The Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.950, Normed Fit Index (NFI) = 0.922, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.938, and The Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.078.ConclusionA new scale for evaluating the medication literacy of Chinese medical college students was preliminarily developed, demonstrating good reliability and validity. Itcan be used as a preliminary measurement tool for assessing medical students’ medication literacy. However, due to the limitations of this study, the practical application of the scale needs to be further examined in a larger sample and should be refined in future studies.

Exploring the principal factors driving the volatility structure of stock trade levels in New Zealand: a Covid-19 perspective

This paper explores factors that drive the volatility structure of New Zealand stock trade levels, with the aim of understanding unusual volatility of stock trade levels that may pose a risk to the critical operations of a trading venue. Weekly number of trades from 2014–2024 for the sampled stocks were examined within principal axis factoring (PAF) and GARCH models. The results showed that three factors accounted for around 60% of volatility in the number of stock trades over the sampled period; they were driven primarily by electricity generation stocks, consumer discretionary stocks, and commercial property stocks respectively. During the sampled period, two subperiods of market shock showed unusual levels of volatility in all principal factors, with the second subperiod, which coincided with the Covid-19 outbreak, being particularly notable. An implication of the study is that given the volatilities of stock trade levels are little studied in the literature, the findings of this study could be a useful complement to existing studies examining stock price volatility for the purposes of mitigating unusual stock trading volatility.

Validating an instrument for measuring community cultural wealth with biology majors at a Hispanic-serving institution.

Boosting underrepresented student persistence in STEM majors has been of interest for several years. Prior research has explored various factors that may influence student success and persistence in STEM majors. Specifically, some of these studies have employed Yosso's community cultural wealth framework to explore how a student's cultural wealth may link to certain outcomes. Most of these studies have taken a qualitative approach when exploring cultural wealth and less adopt a quantitative approach. Using biology students in an introductory biology class during the fall (n = 303) and spring semesters (n = 215) at a large Hispanic-serving institution in the southeastern United States, this study seeks to contribute to the literature by validating a previously constructed instrument with a new population. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted using principal axis factoring and an oblique rotation. EFA results revealed 10 dimensions of cultural wealth. Additionally, confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the model produced properly measures the constructs as intended. Overall, the final 56-item instrument used in this study was validated and can be used for measuring cultural wealth in similar populations.

Validity and reliability of chemical-based disinfectant use questionnaire in a sample of the Lebanese public community

IntroductionWorldwide, people heavily use chemical-based disinfectants to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with limited or no safety instructions. Awareness about the safe use of chemical-based disinfectants is highly recommended to...

Exploring entrepreneurial orientation dimensions in the property business: A scale development

This study investigates the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (ENO) within the context of property business. A survey was conducted with 355 respondents to explore various dimensions of EO, including innovation, resilience quality, organisational culture, entrepreneurial capability, innovative marketing strategy, customer care, scalability, and effort. Results showed that the majority of respondents were male (54.90%) and belonged to Generation X (68.20%), with a significant portion from the Upper Northeast zone (53.50%). The study employed Principal Axis Factoring (PAF) with Promax rotation to identify EO dimensions, resulting in eight unique factors explaining 60.8% of the variance. These dimensions included Innovation Technology, Resilience Quality, Organizational Culture, Entrepreneurial Capability, Innovative Marketing Strategy, Customer Care, Scalability, and Effort. The study also conducted a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), confirming the reliability and validity of the proposed model. The calculated Average Variance Extracted (AVE) and composite reliability values met the convergent and discriminant validity criteria. Overall, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of EO in the property sector and provides insights for property businesses and policymakers to foster entrepreneurial behaviour and drive performance.

Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Properties of Hindi Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale in University Nursing Students

Background: Rosenberg’s Self-esteem Scale (RSES) has been widely used without proper translation, cultural adaptation, and testing psychometric properties in Indian studies. The study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the 10-item Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale into Hindi and find psychometric properties. Material and Methods: We have translated the scale using World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using a cross-sectional design, the translated scale was administered to 143 undergraduate nursing students randomly selected. Content validity index (CVI) was used to assess content validity. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with principal axis factoring was used to estimate the construct validity. Cronbach’s alpha (α) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to check internal consistency and test re-test reliability. Results: The S-CVI for the Hindi RSES was 0.98. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) (=0.79), and Bartlette’s test for sphericity was significant ( χ2 = 425.06, df = 45, P &lt; .001). EFA extracted three common factors, explaining 62.62% of the total variance. The factor loading of all items suggests a good representation of their underlying construct; all items &gt;0.47, except item 1 (= –0.373). The test re-test, an ICC was r = 0.76 ( P &lt; .001), and Cronbach’s alpha (α) after deletion of item 1 was 0.81, suggesting excellent reliability. Conclusion: The Hindi Rosenberg self-esteem scale is a psychometrically tested scale to assess self-esteem in the Hindi-speaking adult population. These findings provide empirical judgment for using the translated Hindi RSES to measure self-esteem among the adult population. The authors recommend verifying the psychometric properties in a more extensive and varied population.

The impact of audience dynamics on public speaking anxiety in virtual scenarios: An online survey

BackgroundPublic speaking is one of the most commonly feared situations reported in both community and university samples. Despite extensive theoretical models and empirical studies aimed at delineating the underlying factors of Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA), the specific variables contributing to its onset remain incompletely characterised. MethodsThe research involved 297 participants from an AmazonTurk survey, engaging with virtual public speaking scenarios differentiated by audience size, engagement levels, and room spatial dimensions. Participants' anticipated anxiety levels were quantitatively assessed across these scenarios, enabling a comprehensive exploration of the interaction between situational variables and PSA, thereby providing a framework to explore the influence of audience size, engagement, and spatial dimensions on PSA. ResultsThe mixed-effect model revealed a significant interaction among audience size, audience engagement, and room spatial dimensions. Further analyses using principal axis factoring and multiple regression identified three main factors: F1 (Engagement in a Large Audience), F2 (Confinement or Evaluation Anxiety), and F3 (Audience Disengagement). These factors significantly predict PSA scores. ConclusionsThis study reveals that PSA is influenced by a complex interplay of audience size, room dimensions, and audience engagement. The finding underscores the viable way to incorporate these situational variables in both empirical investigations and therapeutic interventions. Specifically, it introduces a novel framework for standardising audience size relative to room capacity.

Validity and Reliability of the German Vocal Fatigue Index in Adults With Voice Disorders.

Vocal fatigue-related symptoms, frequent in patients with voice disorders, are reliably quantifiable with the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) in several languages. The main aim of this work was to investigate the content and construct validity of the German Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI-D) by comparison with the German Voice Handicap Index 9 international (VHI9i) and the Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (VTD). Moreover, the scale and retest reliability were investigated. In a prospective cohort study at two tertiary care hospitals, 93 adults with all types of voice complaints filled out the VFI-D, the VHI-9i, and the VTD. Eighty-one adults (Mage = 53.5 years, SD = 15.7) completed them one time, and additional 12 patients (Mage = 53.8 years, SD = 15.6) did a test-retest, completed them twice at an interval of 1 week. The validity was assessed by Spearman's rho and Mokken scaling and the reliability by a factor analysis and a two-tailed t test. Mokken scaling has proven the VFI-D as one-dimensional questionnaire (one cluster, r = .95). All VFI-D items could be assigned to one of three factors according to principal component and principal axis factor analysis. Although Factor 1 related best to the VHI9i (∅ rs = .76) and Factor 2 to the VTD (∅ rs = .74), Factor 3 correlated moderately with the VHI9i (rs = .34) and weakly with the VTD (rs = .25). Results from the first and second VFI-D completion agreed strongly (t = -1.78, p = .10). In this study, the content and construct validity of the VFI-D were confirmed. Also, both scale reliability with identical factors as those in the original study and retest reliability were verified. The VHI9i and VTD were highly indicative of VFI-D Factors 1 and 2, respectively. No correlation between Factor 3 and the other questionnaires was determined. Future research should evaluate which characteristics are specific to vocal fatigue versus general voice disorder-related symptoms.

Nursing Attitudes Questionnaire: Testing the Psychometric Characteristics of the Italian Version (NAQ-IV).

The image of a nurse is a source of concern due to its impact on recruitment into the profession, political decisions about the profession, and how the image affects nursing practice. For these reasons, one of the long-term challenges is to assess and maintain a favorable public image that respects the utility and value of the nursing profession. This study aims to validate an instrument for assessing the image of the nurse as perceived by Italian citizens. A non-probabilistic sample of 564 people participated in the study between 2022 and 2023. Sociodemographic information of the Italian citizens was collected, and the instrument used to evaluate the perceived public image was the Nursing Attitudes Questionnaire (NAQ). The psychometric properties of the Italian version of the NAQ (NAQ-IV) were calculated using Cronbach's alpha, item-total correlations, skewness, and kurtosis. Factor analysis was performed using principal axis factoring and the varimax rotation method. Factor analysis revealed a four-factor model explaining more than 60.52% of the variance, with the largest variance explained by the "Role and Professionalism" factor (34.08%). The internal consistency calculation showed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.89 for the scale and between 0.88 and 0.89 among the factors; all the items verified the item-total correlation and response variability criteria. The NAQ-IV could be a valid tool for assessing the perception of Italian citizens. However, further studies are recommended to evaluate the reliability of the instrument, especially in the evolving professional profile and social health welfare.

A validated questionnaire for measuring digitalization as sociocultural change in educational contexts

PurposeIn the so-called digital age, there is a basic assumption that digitalization entails rapid and dramatic change in schools, education and society. However, a challenge for educational research is to clarify what digitalization precisely means. This paper aims to develop, test, and validate a digital transformation scale (DTS). More specifically, the aim is to validate digitization, digitalization and digital transformation as hierarchical levels of sociocultural learning in school and education by using cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) as a framework.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory factor analysis (EFA), with principal-axis factoring as an extraction method, was used to examine the number of factors underlying the data.FindingsResults show that the three dimensions in the DTS questionnaire explain 68% of the variance and that all dimensions show high internal consistency (a >0.87). This means that the internal structure of the DTS corresponded to the internal structure of the theory.Research limitations/implicationsThe results show that the internal structure of the DTS corresponded to the internal structure of the theory and may be used quantitatively to analyze digital transformation in school organizations. However, further research is needed in other contexts and larger samples with the use of confirmatory factor analysis to develop knowledge in this area and the use of DTS.Practical implicationsThis tool and theoretical construction could be used to discuss digital transformation in school and education, both local and in general. Seeing digitalization from a sociocultural perspective makes possible to conceptualize and discuss this as a process ranging from small technology investments on an individual level to digitalization as strategic and organizational development.Originality/valueThis DTS can be used quantitatively to study and analyze digital transformation in educational contexts and provides educational researchers with additional tools to articulate what they mean by digitalization.

"I feel [so alone] nothing" - emotional vulnerability and detachment as transdiagnostic key characteristics of patients with chronic tinnitus: a schema mode model approach.

Gold-standard approaches for chronic tinnitus involve hearing amplification measures and psychological therapy, where applicable. Whilst schema therapy is accumulating evidence as a transdiagnostically useful treatment framework, its applicability for patients with chronic tinnitus has not yet been examined. The present study (a) explores latent dimensions of psychological distress in a sample of chronic tinnitus patients, and (b) examines whether the schema mode model might explain these dimensions - thus constituting a potentially helpful conceptualization and treatment framework. N = 696 patients with chronic tinnitus completed the Tinnitus Questionnaire, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Questionnaire and ICD-10 Symptom Rating. As criterion, patients further completed the Schema Mode Inventory (SMI-r) - which assesses psychological constructs linked to negative self-beliefs ("parent modes"), primary emotions resulting from unmet psychological needs ("child modes"), and secondary emotional or behavioral attempts to reinstate or maintain psychological equilibrium ("coping modes"). A varimax-rotated principal axis factor analysis grouped the primary item pool. Factor scale scores were then correlated with the SMI-r. A three-factor solution explained 37.4% of variance and represented 78% of the included items. Following item content examination, the factors represented (1) General emotional distress, (2) Tinnitus-attributed emotional distress, and (3) Socio-audiological impairment. Factors 1|2 correlated highly (r= 0.70), Factors 2|3 moderately (r = 0.62). Linked to the schema mode model, Factor 1 correlated highly with the "vulnerable child" (r = 0.78), and moderately with the "parent", "angry child", and "detached protector" modes (0.53 < r < 0.65). Factor 2 correlated moderately with the "vulnerable child" (r = 0.53). Factor 3 was largely uncorrelated with SMI-r scores - although a low correlation with the "detached protector" warrants further examination. "General" and "tinnitus-attributed" emotional distress correlate highly - warranting holistic (not symptom-specific) psychological case conceptualization and treatment planning. Viewed from a schema mode perspective, the "vulnerable child" explains substantial variance across both dimensions. Consequently, autobiographically anchored, unmet emotional needs and emotional detachment constitute key treatment targets. Social-audiological impairment should be multimodally conceptualised and treated with hearing aids and psychological support measures, as applicable.

Measuring Children's Reward and Punishment Sensitivity: An Initial Psychometric Evaluation of the Contingency Response Rating Scale.

Existing research shows that children's responses to rewards and punishments are essential for understanding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and callous-unemotional traits. The present study developed the Contingency Response Rating Scale (CRRS) to fulfill the need for a reliable and valid measure of children's contingency response style that is brief, easy to use in applied settings, and provides additional information to existing clinical measures. We examined the psychometric properties of the CRRS in a sample of 196 children (ages 5-12), most of whom were referred to evaluate attention and behavior problems in an outpatient clinic. Using principal axis factoring, we identified five factors: (a) punishment ineffectiveness, (b) reward ineffectiveness, (c) punishment dysregulation, (d) reward dysregulation, and (e) contingency insensitivity. The subscales based on these factors showed acceptable test-retest and internal consistency reliability, and scale intercorrelations varied from low to moderate. The subscales also captured significant variance not explained by child or parent demographics and were associated with measures of psychopathology and impairment. The results provide preliminary evidence that the CRRS may be a helpful tool for assessing reward and punishment sensitivity in children with attention and behavior problems.

Sociopolitical Trends and Attitudes Towards Transgender People: A Validation Study of the Transgender Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs (T-KAB) Scale in a Portuguese Sample

Abstract Introduction Attitudes towards transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals are associated with discrimination against TGD people and underly TGD minority stress. Despite Portugal’s progressive legal framework, anti-trans interactions and discourse are reported. Nonetheless, studies on trans attitudes are still incipient in Portugal. The Transgender Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs (T-KAB) scale is a psychometrically sound measure of transgender attitudes. However, its convergent validity with transphobia is yet to be tested, and its ability to study sociopolitical factors driving pro-trans attitudes is unexplored. Methods We explored the psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of T-KAB in an online collected (February 2022 to May 2022) sample of Portuguese adults (N = 447), and tested differences (ANOVA; t-test) in T-KAB according to sociopolitical factors. Results Results from the Principal Axis Factoring and Parallel Analysis showed a two-factor measure of acceptance, comfort, and social tolerance towards trans people. Both factors presented an excellent internal consistency (α = .94 and α = .95) and were significantly associated with the Genderism and Transphobia Scale. Conclusions Results found that participants with a heterosexual orientation, less contact with TGD people, less educated, religious, and who endorsed a right-wing or conservative political ideology showed lower T-KAB scores. These results corroborate the psychometric validity of the T-KAB, as well as its ability to identify sociopolitical segments of the population according to their attitudes towards TGD people. Policy Implications This study informs future research on tailored interventions to increase transgender acceptance, comfort, and social tolerance in the general population.

Construct validity of the Braden scale in acute- and long-term care settings in Austria: A structural equation modeling analysis

Objective: The Braden scale is frequently used to assess pressure ulcer risk in health care settings. Selected psychometric properties have been tested using various methods of classical test theory in international studies. However, limited information on construct validity is available. Aim was to determine if the Braden subscale items correlate with the construct pressure ulcer risk and whether the construct validity concerning the factor structure of the Braden scale is adequate in acute and long-term settings.Methods: A quantitative design with secondary analysis of data from one acute (n = 328) and eight long-term care facilities (n = 311) in Austria was used to test construct validity. Data analysis included principal axis factor analysis with Promax rotation and assessment of internal consistency, followed by structural equation modeling.Results: For the acute care setting, a structure equation model with two latent factors and for the long-term care setting with one latent factor was tested according to principal axis factoring results. The Braden subscale items correlated with the construct pressure ulcer risk. Almost all examined model fit indices were within recommended reference values. Thus, the construct validity of the Braden scale was adequate in both settings.Conclusions: The factor structure in the acute care setting did not match that in the investigated long-term care setting. Further research regarding the construct validity of the Braden scale is therefore necessary.

Development and Validation of the Interprofessional Collaboration Practice Competency Scale (IPCPCS) for Clinical Nurses.

Interprofessional collaborative practice is a core competency and is the key to strengthening health practice systems in order to deliver safe and high-quality nursing practice. However, there is no Interprofessional Collaboration Practice Competency Scale (IPCPCS) for clinical nurses in Taiwan. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to develop an IPCPCS and to verify its reliability and validity. This was a psychometric study with a cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling to recruit nurses from the seven hospitals of a medical foundation. A self-designed structured IPCPCS was rolled out via a Google survey. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, principal-axis factoring (PAF) with Promax rotation, Pearson correlation, reliability analysis, and one-way ANOVA. PAF analysis found that three factors could explain 77.76% of cumulative variance. These were collaborative leadership and interprofessional conflict resolution, interprofessional communication and team functioning, and role clarification and client-centered care. The internal consistency of the three factors (Cronbach's α) was between 0.970 to 0.978, and the Pearson correlation coefficients were between 0.814 to 0.883. Significant differences were presented in the IPCPCS score by age, education level, total years of work experience, position on the nursing clinical ladder, and participation in interprofessional education. In conclusion, the three factors used in the IPCPCS have good reliability and construct validity. This scale can be used as an evaluation tool of in-service interprofessional education courses for clinical nurses.

Exploring the factors influencing intergenerational survival of family-owned passenger bus companies (FOPBCs) in emerging markets: a case for Zimbabwe

This paper sought to explore the factors influencing the intergenerational survival of FOPBCs in Zimbabwe. An exploratory research design was used to collect data from a population of 153 participants, made up of founders, managers, and inspectors working for FOPBCs in Harare, Zimbabwe. A 5-point Likert Scale questionnaire was designed and self-administered to the participants. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) utilizing Principal Axis Factoring (PAF) extraction and Oblique with Kaizer Normalization Rotation, in IBM SPSS Statistics v 26, was used to examine the factors influencing survival of FOPBCs in Zimbabwe. An 8-factor solution, accounting for 84.76% of the total variance was established and all the factors were named accordingly. The factors which emanated from the EFA were succession planning, family entrepreneurial orientation, family total resources, leadership, management, strategic planning, corporate governance, and the external environment. The study concluded that, while all FOPBCs were affected by the external environment, firms capable of effectively implementing, monitoring, and controlling the other seven factors had higher chances of witnessing successful intergenerational business transitions. A clear strategy incorporating succession planning, family entrepreneurial orientation, family total resources, leadership, management at the same time upholding corporate governance practices will see FOPBCs surviving across generations.

A psychometric evaluation of the parental acceptance and action questionnaire (PAAQ) in parents of children with and without disabilities

Parental psychological inflexibility, particularly characterized by experiential avoidance, represents a significant risk factor for chronic stress and psychological distress. The Parental Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (PAAQ) is a context-specific instrument for the measurement of parental psychological inflexibility. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the original composite version of the 19-item PAAQ across the three distinct Swedish samples; a community sample (n = 1018), a clinical sample of treatment-seeking parents of children with disabilities (n = 667), and a test-retest sample (n = 337). The Principal Axis Factoring of the PAAQ in the community sample yielded a 16-item, three-factor solution: 1) action-taking and flexibility in the parenting context, 2) experiential acceptance of internal experiences related to parenting, and 3) experiential acceptance of child's internal experiences. This factor model was supported by the confirmatory factor analysis in the test-retest sample. The associations observed with related constructs (r = between 0.49 and 0.61, p < 0.0001) indicated good discriminant validity. The Receiver Operator Characteristic analysis demonstrated that the PAAQ can effectively classify between the clinical and community sample, achieving 79% sensitivity and 68% specificity. The showed good test-retest reliability (r = 0.82). As anticipated, the parents in the clinical sample showed greater psychological inflexibility compared to parents in the community sample. To conclude, the 16-item Swedish version of the PAAQ demonstrates adequate to good psychometric qualities.

Determinants of Online Teaching and Learning Effectiveness for Statistical Concepts and Calculations Subjects During the COVID-19 Movement Control Order (MCO)

In today’s fast-paced ICT-driven world, understanding the factors influencing the effectiveness of online teaching and learning is paramount, especially during the Movement Control Order (MCO) when physical educational activities are restricted. Assessing the efficacy of undergraduate students under these circumstances can be particularly challenging, and the resulting conclusions may vary depending on the context. Consequently, this study is driven by three primary objectives. Firstly, this study seeks to employ factor analysis as a robust method for validating the selected online teaching and learning instruments. Secondly, it endeavors to categorize the survey instruments into distinct core variables using Principal Axis Factor analysis. Additionally, the study aims to harness multiple regression analysis to uncover the factors influencing the efficiency of online teaching and learning. To achieve these objectives, an online questionnaire was administered to 107 students enrolled in a university in Malaysia. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results of the multiple regression analysis revealed that lecturer roles and student attitudes have significant positive relationships with the success of online teaching and learning. In contrast, flexibility exhibited a significant but inverse association. Despite the global transition into the endemic phase of COVID-19, this study aspires to furnish valuable insights for lecturers, students, and university administrators regarding the ongoing practices of online teaching and learning. Ultimately, these insights can empower policymakers to formulate optimal strategies thereby benefiting all stakeholders involved. In conclusion, this study acknowledges its limitations and offers recommendations for further research.

Translation and validation of ageism scale for dental students into Malay language.

Identifying ageism among dental students is essential in gerodontology courses. This study aimed to perform a preliminary validation of a Malay version of the ageism scale for dental students (ASDS-My). The 27-item ASDS were translated into Malay language and completed by 168 dental students. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with Promax rotation, Polychoric Correlation Matrix and Principal Axis Factoring was conducted. Internal consistency reliability and discriminative validity were analysed. Criterion validity was measured by comparing ASDS-My with Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA). A Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin of 0.612 and a Bartlett's Test of Sphericity yielding p<.001 confirmed the adequate factorability. EFA revealed a 15-items scale distributed into five-factors explaining 54.5% of overall variance, with acceptable reliability. The two factors involved cost-benefit of dental treatment on older patients and challenges during medical history taking. The third, fourth and fifth factors explained attitude towards older patients, negative views of older patients and exposure of dental students to Gerodontology training and experiences respectively. Most factors were significantly positively related to FSA. Discriminative validity revealed significant differences for gender, place of stay and year of study. Preliminary validation of the ASDS-My produced a five-factors 15-items scale with acceptable validity and reliability.