Scale Cronbach's Alpha Research Articles

Assessing the validity of the cognitive load scale in a problem-based learning setting

Abstract Objectives The cognitive load scale has only been validated in non-problem-based learning settings. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the validity of this scale in a problem-based learning environment by testing its construct validity and internal consistency. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on 125 first-year medical students after a problem-based learning session. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test its construct validity using the Analysis of Moment Structure software. The internal consistency of this inventory was determined through reliability analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS). Results A total of 93 medical students completed the inventory. The analysis showed that the three-factor scale attained an acceptable level of goodness-of-fit indices, indicating good construct validity. The scale's Cronbach's alpha was more than 0.7, indicating a high level of internal consistency. All of the items attained a standardized factor loading of more than 0.5, which indicated high contributions to the respective scales. The mean levels of students' intrinsic load and self-perceived learning were high, and the mean level of students' extraneous load was low. These findings signalled that students learned well during the session despite difficult instruction. Conclusion Because the cognitive load level is an important outcome for the efficiency of instructional design, we suggest that the aforementioned scale, which is valid and reliable, should be used in the future either as a research measurement or diagnostic feedback tool for problem-based learning evaluation.

Validity and reliability of the quality of masticatory function questionnaire applied in Brazilian adolescents.

Purpose proper chewing and swallowing functions have great importance in general health, since it potentially affects food's digestion and the subject's nutritional status. The aim was to assess the validity and reliability of the self-applied Quality of Masticatory Function Questionnaire (QMFQ) in a convenience (non-referred) sample of Brazilian adolescents divided into three groups: control (n=57), dental caries (n=51) and malocclusion (n=54). Methods caries and malocclusion were evaluated using DMF-S index (number of decayed, missing and filled primary and permanent surfaces) and Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need, respectively. The QMFQ comprises 26 items regarding frequency and intensity of chewing problems with five domains: Food-Mastication, Habits, Meat, Fruits and Vegetables. Data were submitted to descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Chi-square tests. Psychometric evaluation included measures of reliability (internal consistency - Cronbach's alpha and matrix of correlation) and discriminant validity (Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn post-test). Results the instrument showed satisfactory internal consistency, with significant positive correlations between the domains scores except between Habits and Vegetables. Total scale Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.87 and the coefficient did not increase significantly with the removal of each domain. Significant differences were found between controls and caries group in Food-Mastication, Meat and Fruits scores. Caries group also showed higher median values in Food-Mastication and Fruits than the malocclusion group. Conclusion the Quality of Masticatory Function Questionnaire showed acceptable properties regarding internal consistency, reliability, and discriminant validity in evaluating the impact of caries on the perception of the masticatory function quality of Brazilian adolescents.

Influence of Spiritual Quotient (SQ) Dimensions on Performance of Employee in it Industry

The study focuses on the influence of spiritual quotient (SQ) dimension on performance of employee in IT industry. A Sample of 500 employees were taken for the study, and the random sampling technique was used to find the data from respondents. From Principal Component Analysis it is inferred that morality, steadiness, responsiveness, faithfulness, integrity are the factors contributing to the dimensions of spiritual quotient for employees of IT industry. The Cronbach's alpha scale of 0.86 indicates that each measure demonstrated acceptable internal consistency. The KMO test (KMO = 0.728) and Bartlett's Test (chi-square value = 0.000563; significance = 0.000) indicates that the factor analysis method is appropriate and the coefficient of multiple determinations (R2 is 0.59) and adjusted R2 is 0.57. Therefore, it is inferred that 57% of the variation is performed. Thus the result shows that there is a significant influence of spiritual quotient (SQ) dimensions on performance of employees in IT industry.

Development and pilot validation of a sensory reactivity scale for adults with high functioning autism spectrum conditions: Sensory Reactivity in Autism Spectrum (SR-AS)

Background: Unusual reactions to sensory stimuli are experienced by 90–95% of people with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). Self-reported sensory reactivity in ASC has mainly been measured with generic questionnaires developed and validated on data from the general population. Interest in sensory reactivity in ASC increased after the inclusion of hyper- and hypo-reactivity together with unusual sensory interest as diagnostic markers of ASC in the DSM-5. Aims: To develop and pilot validate a self-report questionnaire designed from first-hand descriptions of the target group of adults diagnosed with high functioning ASC. Psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated on a sample of participants with ASC diagnoses (N = 71) and a random sample from the general population (N = 162). Results: The Sensory Reactivity in Autism Spectrum (SR-AS is intended to be used as a screening tool in diagnostic processes with adults and for support in adapting compensating strategies and environmental adjustments. The internal consistency was high for both the SR-AS and its subscales. The total scale Cronbach's alpha was 0.96 and the subscales alphas were ≥ 0.80. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed best fit for a four-factor model of inter-correlated factors: hyper and hypo-reactivity, strong sensory interest and a sensory/motor factor. The questionnaire discriminated well between ASC-diagnosed participants and participants from the general population. Conclusions: The SR-AS displayed good internal consistency and discriminatory power and promising factorial validity.

The Adaptation of Romantic Relationship Perfectionism Scale into Turkish Culture

KEYWORDS Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Relationships Validity. Reliability. Adults. Adaptation ABSTRACT In current study, the researchers aimed to adapt Romantic Relationship Perfectionism Scale (RRPS) into Turkish. For reliability and validity of scale, four studies were conducted. Turkish and English forms of the Romantic Relationship Perfectionism Scale (RRPS) are administered over a two-week period and the translated version was accepted as equivalent to the original. Sample of the study consisted of university students in a romantic relationship more than 12 months. In analyzing data, confirmatory factor analysis was used and the model revealed acceptable fit indices. Item-total analyses and Cronbach alpha of scale revealed that the scale can be used in a Turkish sample. In criterion-related validity study, RRPS has significant correlations with Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Lastly, reliability coefficient scores revealed acceptable results. As a result, validity and reliability studies show that the RRPS scale is acceptable for Turkish sample.

English

Healthy life style is considered a significant factor in the total fitness and wellness of individuals and groups in the society. Individual healthy nutritional behaviour is a key element in preventing diseases and improving health. The study investigated the influence of smoking and job stress on the nutritional behaviour of factory workers in Ibadan, metropolis. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The stratified and purposive sampling techniques were used to select eight hundred and eighty-four workers from sixteen factories in Ibadan. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire which yielded reliability co-efficient of 0.72 on the Cronbach alpha scale and were analyzed using inferential statistics of simple regression at 0.05 significance level. The result revealed a significant predictive effect of smoking and job stress on the nutritional behaviour of the respondents. Education through sensitization on the importance of healthy lifestyle among workers was recommended.    Key words: Smoking, job stress, nutritional behaviour, factory workers, influence.

The Attitudes of the Elementary School Mathematics Teacher Candidates towards Proof in the Mathematical Modelling Proccess

The need of using and understanding mathematics is gaining importance in daily life and this importance is growing gradually. The most important goal of mathematics education is to obtain logical answers in response to questions ‘why?’ and ‘how?’; in other words, the goal is to ensure the development of reasoning. It is observed in this study that whether there are any changes in the attitudes of the candidates towards proof and proofs based on mathematical modeling. This study consists of two parts which are to test pre-post attitudes. 60 students who are in their third year of BA education attended to this search. They are enrolled in Balıkesir University Necatibey Education Faculty Elementary Mathematics Education in 2010-2011 Spring Term. Intentional sampling is used in selecting the sample. ‘Attitude Scale to Proof’, developed by Uzel and Ozdemir (2009)- five point Likert Scale- is used to explore the attitudes of the candidates. This scale Cronbach Alpha coefficient is found .897. The item-total correlations were between .50 - .82. The data is evaluated by SPSS 17.0 Programme to determine percentages, frequencies and t-test for correlated survey. Finally, 10 teachers are interviewed in order to examine the attitudes of teachers in greater depth. As a result of this study, teachers’ attitude scores using traditional methods is very low towards the proofs and mathematical modeling show higher scores in the attitude towards the proofs. In addition it is revealed that the candidates think the proof with modeling more understanding, easy and effective than the traditional method. It is recommended to integrate the proof process and the modeling process. However, it may be suggested that different proofs in different areas of mathematics should be evaluated at different levels in mathematical modeling process.

A study on developing An attitude scale for project and performance tasks for Turkish Language teaching course

The main purpose of this study is to demonstrate the students' attitudes towards project and performance tasks in Turkish Lessons and to develop a reliable and valid measurement tool. A total of 461 junior high school students participated in this study. In this study, firstly the preparation of items, specialist be consulted (content reliability) of the scale operations carried out pre-trial application; on the data, after were carried out item-total correlations, exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha to determine the reliability analysis. As a result, the analysis was observed to compose of 27 items and one factor of the scale. This one dimension that describes 32.10% of the total variance, for complete of scale Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient is 917. What is determined is that item-test correlations range ,652 and ,409. The scale of fit index values are respectively RMSEA = .050, CFI = .97, IFI = .97, GFI = .90, AGFI = .88, and SRMR = .044. By looking at the values obtained from the analysis, “The Attitude Scale of Project and Performance Tasks in Turkish Lesson” tasks of the project and performance of students in secondary schools in their attitudes towards Turkish lessons can be used to determine the validity and reliability can be said that a vehicle. Key words: Teaching Turkish, project tasks, performance tasks, attitudes, the Attitude Scale of Project and Performance Tasks in Turkish Lesson.

Development of the Self-Determined Learning Motivation Scale: Analysis of Reliability and Validity

The purpose of this study is aims to develop an inventory assessing self-determined motivation for e-Learning courses in college. The study involves 397 college students, with exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach alpha scale reliability, and the validity of the test. Self-determined learning motivation scale is accordance with the Learning Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-L) by Williams & Deci (1996) and Black & Deci (2000). It compiled and revised the initial inventory consisted of 14 items, it divided into four dimensions, such as, "Intrinsic motivation", " Identified regulation", Introjected Regulation ", and "External regulation", the total explained variance was 71.35%. The Cronbach alpha is .87, with acceptable construct validity and reliability of measurement tools, it can provide the future development of e-Learning courses.

The Psychometric Properties of the Physical Education Lesson Attitude Scale for Preservice Classroom Teachers

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Physical Education Attitude Scale for Preservice Classroom Teachers (PEAS-PCT). The study was conducted on 561 Turkish preservice classroom teachers at the end of the 2011-2012 Fall Semester. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to ascertain the validity of the scale. For the reliability of the scale Cronbach Alpha reliability, Spearman Brown split-half test and item-total test correlations were calculated. Reexamination of the scale led to a new scale structure comprised of a single factor with ten items. The altered version of the scale proved psychometrically stronger. Based on the results of the study, it can be suggested that the PEAS-PCT is a valid and reliable scale.

The Scale of Positive and Negative Experience: a validity and reliability study for adolescents

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience for adolescences. Methods: This study was conducted with 364 students from several high schools in Izmir. 213 (%58.5) of these students were male and 151 (%41.5) were female. The construct validity of the scale was studied by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. In order to evaluate criteria-dependent validity of the scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Life Orientation Test, and UCLA Loneliness Scale were used. To measure the reliability of the scale Cronbach alpha coefficient and test-retest methods were used. In item analysis, the differences between item total correlation and %27 percent of top and bottom groups’ average points were examined. Result: After exploratory factor analysis it was observed that it consists of two factors like the original and the adapted Turkish form which was carried out with university students. Confirmatory factor analysis indicates that the fit indexes are at acceptable level. The correlation analysis study for criteria-dependent validity study of the scale had revealed that there were meaningful relationships. When we look at the Cronbach alpha coefficient, test-retest scores, item total correlation, and t scores of the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience, it can be said that the scale is reliable. Discussion: It can be said that the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience is a valid and reliable scale that can measure positive and negative emotions of the adolescents.

The Manchester Cough in Lung Cancer Scale: The Development and Preliminary Validation of a New Assessment Tool

ContextCough is a common distressing symptom in lung cancer patients. Its assessment is hampered by the lack of a validated scale to measure the complex cough experience in this population. ObjectivesTo describe the development and preliminary validation of a scale to measure cough in lung cancer patients. MethodsIn the first phase, collection of qualitative data from patient interviews, a review of literature, and identification of noncancer cough scales resulted in the development of a pool of 30 items. This item pool was tested for appropriateness of content and breadth of coverage with 18 patients with lung cancer and 25 health care professionals. The second phase was the operationalization/phrasing of items. The final phase was the scale's field testing with 139 patients, 49 of whom repeated the assessment after one week. ResultsThe first phase led to the deletion of several items and the addition of four, resulting in a final scale for field testing of 21 items. In the field testing, the scale was decreased to 10 items, eliminating items on psychometric grounds. The final scale's Cronbach alpha (internal consistency) was 0.86, item to total correlations ranged from 0.40 to 0.76, and test-retest reliability was high (intraclass correlation=0.83). ConclusionWe have developed a promising tool to assess cough in lung cancer, but this needs validation, and future studies should determine whether this is a sensitive and responsive tool. A fully validated tool can be used in the clinical assessment of cough in cancer patients, and as a unidimensional impact scale in the measurement of cough as an outcome in intervention studies.

Reliability and validity study of technology leadership roles of the elementary school administrators

Problem StatementIt can be said that one of the best ways of being able to see the future and taking massive change decisions on the right time about this aim is to be in reconciliation with information technologies. It can be thought that this reconciliation is possible by perceiving the change and then by changing our some habits in harmony with technology. The societies that perceive the change in a right way, the societies that can not or perceive the change mistakenly will able to affect their future in a negative or positive way according to their way of perceptions. There have been various instruments developed to explore technology leadership in education setting. Most of them are technology leadership proficiencies of school administrators. Thus, new instruments for different approaches have to be developed in school management. This study have aimed to develop an instrument which intends to technology leadership roles of the elementary school administrators. Purpose of the StudyThe main purpose of this study was to develop a scale of technology leadership roles of elementary school administrators according to the perceptions of teachers who were working for elementary schools. MethodDescriptive method was used in the study. The validity and reliability studies of the scale were administered to 354 teachers who were working for elementary schools in Gaziantap, Şanlıurfa, Hatay and Batman. The data were analyzed by SPSS. The structural validity of the scale was examined by principle components factor analysis. The reliability coefficients of the scale were examined by the Cronbach Alpha technique. Findings and ResultsData analysis showed that that the scale has four factors. In the first factor which includes the factor load values change between .745 and .581, in the second factor with seven items factor load values change between .753 and .531, in the third factor that consists of factor load values change between .716 and .532 and on the other hand in the fourth factor of 5 items he factor load values change between .611 and .743 and it was determined these 4 factors explain %68 of the total variance. The reliability of the scale internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach Alpha) was computed. For the low dimensions of the scale Cronbach Alpha is calculated as in an order, 1st dimension .94; 2nd dimension .92; 3rd dimension .91 and 4th dimension .91. The Cronbach Alpha that was calculated for the reliability of the whole scale is .97.

An Evaluation of the Veterans Health Administration’s Clinical Reminders System: A National Survey of Generalists

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a leader in developing computerized clinical reminders (CCRs). Primary care physicians' (PCPs) evaluation of VHA CCRs could influence their future development and use within and outside the VHA. Survey PCPs about usefulness and usability of VHA CCRs. In a national survey, VHA PCPs rated on a 7-point scale usefulness and usability of VHA CCRs, and standardized scales (0-100) were constructed. A hierarchical linear mixed (HLM) model predicted physician- and facility-level variables associated with more positive global assessment of CCRs. Four hundred sixty-one PCPs participated (response rate, 69%). Scale Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.62 to 0.82. Perceptions of VHA CCRs were primarily in the midrange, where higher ratings indicate more favorable attitudes (weighted standardized median, IQR): global assessment (50, 28-61), clinical/situational specificity (29, 17-42), integration with workflow/workload (39, 17-50), training (50, 33-67), VHA's management of CCR use (67, 50-83), design/interface (53, 40-67), perceived role in CCR use (67, 50-83), and self-efficacy (67, 57-78). In a HLM model, design/interface (p < .001), self-efficacy (p < .001), integration with workflow/workload (p < .001), and training (p < .001) were associated with more favorable global assessments of CCRs. Facilities in the west as compared to the south (p = .033), and physicians with academic affiliation (p = .045) had less favorable global assessment of CCRs. Our systematic assessment of end-users' perceptions of VHA CCRs suggests that CCRs need to be developed and implemented with a continual focus on improvement based on end-user feedback. Potential target areas include better integration into the primary care clinic workflow/workload.

Validity of the Dutch version of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire, ALSAQ‐40, ALSAQ‐5

The objective was to validate the Dutch translation of the 40-item and 5-item Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-40, ALSAQ-5). Eighty-one ALS patients participated in this cross-sectional study. The measures used were the ALSAQ-40, the ALSAQ-5, MOS Short-Form-36 (SF-36) and Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). The Dutch ALSAQ-40 was sensitive to differences in disease severity (all scales Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05), had no floor and few ceiling effects (Communication, Eating and Drinking scales), had excellent internal consistency reliability (all scales Cronbach's alpha >0.90, all item to subscale correlations above 0.40) and showed good construct validity as it correlated as expected with SF-36 and ALSFRS-R scores. The total and item scores of the ALSAQ-5 were strongly correlated with the corresponding total and subscale scores of the ALSAQ-40 (Spearman's rho >0.80). The ALSAQ-5 and ALSAQ-40 showed comparable correlations with the subscales of the SF-36 and the ALSFRS-R, except for Activities Daily Living and Independence (ADL). All other results of the Dutch ALSAQ-40 and ALSAQ-5 were comparable to those of the original UK questionnaires. It is concluded that the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the ALSAQ-40 and the ALSAQ-5 are good and similar to those of the original English version.

The Dissociative Experiences Scale-II: Descriptive Statistics, Factor Analysis, and Frequency of Experiences

Psychometric aspects of the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II were studied with 308 American community college students. The overall DES mean was 21.70. Item-corrected correlations ranged from .30 to .62. The scale's Cronbach Alpha was .92. There were no significant correlations between DES scores and sex or religiosity. Age was negatively and significantly correlated to DES scores ( r = -.24). A factor analysis showed only a single factor. Descriptive statistics of the DES-T were also presented. We obtained a mean of 13.81 and a Cronbach Alpha of .75. The DES-T was significantly correlated to the rest of the scale ( r = .79), and to the age of the participants ( r = -.22). The findings show that the DES II has good inner consistency.

Measuring Patient Satisfaction Outcomes Across Provider Disciplines

The purpose of this methodological research was to modify and test an instrument measuring patient satisfaction outcomes with primary care providers who represent different disciplines. The Patient Satisfaction with Health Care Provider Scale (PSHCPS) was adapted from a questionnaire indexing four satisfaction dimensions: Access, Humaneness, Quality, and General Satisfaction (Cherkin, Hart, & Rosenblatt, 1988). Following modification, the PSHCPS was administered to 167 adults with NP or MD providers at a university-based, managed-care setting for the medically indigent. The total scale Cronbach's alpha was .93. Factor analysis supported an unidimensional scale with 18 items loading above .40 and 43% explained variance.

PSYCHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS SCALE: IMPLICATIONS FOR USE IN RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIALS

Purpose A psychometric analysis of the University of Wisconsin Interstitial Cystitis Scale was conducted on 30 females previously enrolled in a phase II double-blind randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of six weekly intravesical instillations of TICE [R] BCG. The analyses were to: (1) evaluate the adequacy of the seven individual IC component items for measuring the range of patient responses; (2) verify the 2-factor (IC versus reference) construct of the scale; (3) evaluate the internal consistency and reliability of the IC items; (4) better define the scale's applicability and limitations; and (5) if possible, make recommendations for improvements in the scale. Materials and Methods Standard psychometric analyses were used to perform the evaluation, and included descriptive analysis of individual items, computing of item-total correlations and Cronbach's internal consistency measures, and the application of factor and Rasch analyses. Results The original 7-item IC scale was found to have ceiling effects that could limit its use in detecting small therapeutic differences. It was also found that the Pelvic item originally assigned to the reference set of items of the scale should be included as an IC item when used in a comparable IC population. After including this item into the IC scale Cronbach's alpha was 0.84, compared with 0.82. Conclusions The UW-IC Scale has psychometric properties similar to other measurement instruments used in clinical research, and appears worthy of further study in well-characterized IC populations. The reference items suggest that IC patients do not indiscriminately report high values for generalized body complaints, but do so on bladder related symptoms as recorded by the IC items of the scale. Although the scale has limitations it appears applicable for use in future IC intervention clinical trials.

Un instrumento para la evaluación cuantitativa de los síntomas en la enfermedad de Parkinson idiopática definida

To determine the reliability of a clinical quantitative instrument for assessing the symptoms of Defined Idiopathic Parkinson Disease (DIPD). From 148 patients with parkinsonism syndrome, the best 62 EPID cases, according to Calne et al (1992), and Larsen et al (1994) criteria--37 males and 25 females--were selected. The age mean was 68.4 (7.4) year-old, the age of onset was 64 (7.2) years, the time of evolution was 4.3 (2.9) years. 98.4% of the sample was in 1 to 3 Hoehn and Yahr clinical state. Right parkinsonism score (RPS) was 8.2 (4.2), and left (LPS) was 6.7 (4.8). Significant differences between right and left tremor, rigidity and dyskinesia scores were found (ji-squared, p < 0.05). Total parkinsonism score (TPS) was 14 (6.9). Several significant and high correlated coefficients were found between most of the scale's components and Hoehn and Yahr clinical state, TPS, and time of evolution (r > 0.40, p < 0.0001). Total 21 items scale Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.92. A stepwise multiple regression model showed that rigidity, postural reflex disorder, and micrography were able to predict the Hoehn and Yahr clinical state (81.4%, p < 0.0001). A principal component analysis showed that akinesia explained more than 59% of the instrument variance, while micrography only explained 0.57% of the variance (100 time lesser). A reliability structure of the instrument was demonstrated for assessing parkinsonism symptoms in DIPD subjects.

The Companion Animal Bonding Scale: Internal Consistency and Factor Structure When Administered by Telephone

The performance of the 8-item Companion Animal Bonding Scale as a self-report behavioral measure of the human-animal relationship when administered as part of a telephone interview is described. For 784 respondents Cronbach alpha for internal consistency was .74 and the SPSS for Windows Principal Components factor analysis of its internal structure yielded two factors which accounted for 55% of the scale's variance. These results are similar to the scale's Cronbach alpha of .82 and the first two of the three factors which accounted for 56% of the variance when the scale was included in a written questionnaire.