Split-half Reliability Coefficient Research Articles

A comparative study of executive functions indices among children with different types of specific learning disabilities: Psychometric properties of BRIEF-2

Introduction: Executive functions are a set of high-level cognitive abilities that are related to the educational problems of children. Aim: This research aimed to investigate psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2) and compare its indices among children with different types of specific learning disabilities (SLD). Method: This study was descriptive psychometric and causal-comparative research. The statistical population consisted of the 6-12-year-old-girls and boys with SLD, Isfahan city, in 2020-2021. A total of 346 students were selected using a convenience sampling method. The achievement tests were then taken, and BRIEF-2 was completed by their parents. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, differentiation analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, split-half reliability coefficient, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) via SPSS.23.0 and AMOS.24.0 software. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis results showed that this scale has acceptable fit indices values (RMSEA=0.072), and construct validity and discriminant validity are confirmed (P<0.001). In addition, the results of Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.896) and split-half reliability coefficient (0.814) showed that the questionnaire has good reliability. Furthermore, MANOVA results indicated a significant difference between the indices of the BRIEF-2 and the type of learning disabilities (P<0.05). Conclusion: The BRIEF-2 has good psychometric properties to evaluate the executive functions in 6-12-year-old children with SLD. Considering the significant relationship between the indices of the BRIEF-2 and the type of learning disabilities, the weakness in the indices of executive functions may be probably associated with children' learning problems.

Development of the Scientific Research Competency Scale for nurses.

The planning, implementation, finalisation and reporting of high-quality research depends on the knowledge, skills and competencies of the many individuals who make carrying out the research possible. This study aims to develop a valid and reliable scale in order to identify the scientific research competencies of nursing professionals at undergraduate and graduate level. This methodological study was carried out on 937 nursing personnel, 422 (45%) of whom were academic members and 515 (55%) were undergraduate students. The Anxiety Scale Towards Research and the Attitude Scale Towards Scientific Research were used for the criterion validity. The Scientific Research Competency Scale comprises 57 items in four sub-dimensions named as 'technical skills', 'attitude and behaviours', 'estimation capacity' and 'foreign language skill'. The Cronbach alpha, Guttmann split-half and Spearman Brown reliability coefficients for the scientific research competency scale were, respectively, 0.98, 0.96 and 0.96. The sensitivity and specificity value, by which the research competency of individuals could be determined with minimum error, was indicated to be at 190 breakpoints of the scientific research competency scale. As a result, the scientific research competency scale developed is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to determine the scientific research competencies of nursing professionals.

Reliability and validity test of Chinese version of the Karitane parenting confidence scale

Objective: To translate and revise the Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale (KPCS),which can be used to evaluate the parenting confidence of 0-12 months infant caregivers in China, and evaluate the reliability and validity test of Chinese version of KPCS. Methods: Form a Chinese version of Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale through translation, back translation and expert review. Mothers of 3-month-old infants were recruited from two Maternal and Child Health Hospitals in Beijing and Ma'anshan in April 2019. A total of 165 mothers responded the survey invitations. They were surveyed with self-administered questionnaires, the Chinese version of KPCS, the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) and Self-efficacy in Infant Care Scale (SICS). Item analysis was conducted to select items by using critical value and correlation coefficient. The construct validity was assessed by exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis. The criterion validity was assessed by being compared with PSOC and SICS. The reliability analysis was assessed by Cronbach's α the split-half reliability coefficient and rest-retest reliability coefficient. Results: The scores of 15 items were all correlated with the total score of the Chinese version of KPCS with r ranging from -0.283 to 0.643 (P<0.001). The difference of critical values of all items of KPCS among the low and high score groups were statistically significant (P<0.001). Three factors labeled parenting, support, and sense of competence, were obtained by exploratory factor analysis which accounting for 49.52% of the total variance and the factor loading values of all items are more than 0.4. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the hypothesized three-factor structure. The total score of KPCS was significantly correlated with the total score of PSOC and SICS(r=0.381, 0.345, P<0.001). The Cronbach's α of the Chinese version of KPCS was 0.769, and each dimension of Cronbach's α were 0.332-0.800, the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.817, and the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.789. Conclusion: The Chinese version of the Karitane parenting confidence scale has a good reliability and validity among the 0-12 month-old infants' mothers, which can be used to evaluate the parenting confidence of infant caregivers.

Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale for Patients with Major Depressive Disorder.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale (CUDOS).MethodsOne hundred ninety patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria were recruited to the study. The English version of the CUDOS was translated into Chinese using a forward and backward translation method, which was according to the guidelines of adaptation and validation of instruments in cross-cultural health care research. The Chinese version of the CUDOS, the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and the improved Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (iCGI-S) were used to evaluate depressive symptoms in one hundred ninety patients with MDD. One week after the first evaluation, sixteen patients were selected randomly for a second assessment. Reliability and validity tests and receiver operating characteristic curves were performed.ResultsThe internal consistency of the CUDOS was 0.95, and the split-half reliability coefficient of the CUDOS was 0.92. The correlation coefficient of the retest in sixteen patients was 0.77 (P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in the total score of the Chinese version of the CUDOS between the different levels of depression severity groups (P < 0.01). The ability of the CUDOS to identify patients in remission was high (area under ROC curve= 0.97). A cut-off score of 14/15 yielded 90.20% sensitivity and 93.60% specificity when iCGI-S=1.ConclusionThe Chinese version of the CUDOS is valuable as a brief and reliable instrument to assess depressive symptoms and clinical outcome. The findings suggest that the optimal cut-off score to identify patients in remission was 14/15.

Developing a Subjective Evaluation Scale for Assessing the Built Environments of China's Hygienic City Initiative

ObjectiveTo develop a preliminary subjective evaluation scale for assessing the built environments of China's Hygienic City Initiative and to evaluate its reliability and validity. MethodsThe initial items of the scale were determined based on a review of policy documents and consultations with experts. The final items of the scale were confirmed through individual interviews with residents combined with the discretetrend method, critical ratio method, correlation coefficient method, and factor analysis method. Then, the dimensions of the scale were determined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The Cronbach's α coefficient, split-half reliability coefficient, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to assess the reliability and validity of the scale. ResultsA scale containing five dimensions with 22 items was established, including urban lifestyle, governance, basic functions, environmental sanitation, and amenities. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.876, and the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.796. The CFA results indicate that each inspection level was within the standard limit. ConclusionThe preliminarily subjective evaluation scale for assessing the built environments of China's Hygienic City Initiative demonstrates a high level of reliability and validity. Additional empirical studies should be carried out to further verify the value of the scale in terms of practical application.

Development, validity and reliability of the Sports Injury Prevention Awareness Scale

Objective: This study aimed to develop the Sports Injury Prevention Awareness Scale (SIPAS) and to determine its validity and reliability for use with the Turkish population. Materials and Methods: This methodological study was initiated after approval by the local ethics committee. After a review of the literature, a pool of 31 items was developed. The items were organized into a 5-point Likert-type scale (Scale v.1), and the content validity of this pilot-scale was assessed using the Lawshe method, for which expert opinion was used to determine content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI). Subsequently, the pilot-scale was applied to a sample of at least 10 times the number of items. Participants' descriptive information, and responses were recorded electronically (Google Forms). Data were analyzed and the validity and reliability of the scale were assessed using SPSS v.23 and AMOS v.24. Results: The content validity of the scale (Scale v.1) was assessed using opinions from 18 experts. Items that did not meet the minimum CVR threshold were eliminated (k=2). The remaining 29-item scale (Scale v.2) had a CVI of 0.696 and was applied to a total of 379 participants (147 males, 38.8%; 232 females, 61.2%) with a mean age of 29.2±11.3 years. From Scale v.2, a total of 11 items were removed due to reducing Cronbach's alpha coefficient (k=5), lack of variables (k=1), or cross-loading between factors (k=5). The remaining 18 items (Scale v.3) explained 59.7% of the variance. Analyses revealed four factors with eigenvalues λ&gt;1.0. The reliability of Scale v.3 was demonstrated with a Spearman-Brown reliability coefficient of 0.778, a Guttman split-half reliability coefficient of 0.772, and a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.884. Scale v.3 satisfied the goodness-of-fit indices in confirmatory factor analysis. Conclusions: The 18-item four-factor (health status, environmental factors and equipment, exercise session, exercise program) Sports Injury Prevention Awareness Scale is valid and reliable for use with Turkish individuals aged 13-66 years.

Application of 3D printing technology combined with PBL teaching model in teaching clinical nursing in congenital heart surgery: A case-control study.

We aimed to explore the application of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology with problem-based learning (PBL) teaching model in clinical nursing education of congenital heart surgery, and to further improve the teaching quality of clinical nursing in congenital heart surgery. In this study, a total of 132 trainees of clinical nursing in congenital heart surgery from a grade-A tertiary hospital in 2019 were selected and randomly divided into 3D printing group or traditional group. The 3D printing group was taught with 3D printed heart models combined with PBL teaching technique, while the traditional group used conventional teaching aids combined with PBL technique for teaching. After the teaching process, the 2 groups of nursing students were assessed and surveyed separately to evaluate the results. Compared to the traditional group, the theoretical scores, clinical nursing thinking ability, self-evaluation for comprehensive ability, and teaching satisfaction from the questionnaires filled by the 3D printing group were all higher than the traditional group. The difference was found to be statistically significant (P < .05). Our study has shown the 3D printing technology combined with the PBL teaching technique in the clinical nursing teaching of congenital heart surgery achieved good results.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool© (DPET) on Emergency Nurses in Mainland China: Two Cross-Sectional Studies.

Emergency nurses play a major role in disaster relief in mainland China, but there is no valid instrument to measure the extent of their disaster preparedness. The Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool© is a reliable instrument to assess the disaster preparedness of nurse practitioners. The tool has been translated and validated in Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, China and the United States of America. This study aimed at translating and adapting the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool© (DPET) for emergency nurses in mainland China and determining its psychometric properties. A total of 2 cross-sectional online surveys were conducted in the emergency departments of 26 public grade III-A hospitals in Guangdong, mainland China. In the first study, 633 emergency nurses were recruited from May to August, 2018. In the second study, 205 were recruited in April 2019. The instrument was adapted through rigorous forward-backward translation, face validity, and pre-test processes. Exploratory factor and parallel analyses were used in the first study. Confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency and split-half reliability were used in the second study. Exploratory factor and parallel analyses extracted a 5-factor solution comprising of 34 items that accounted for 64.06% of the total variance. The fit indices indicated a good model fit. The reliability was good, as indicated by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.97 and a split-half reliability coefficient of 0.97. The mainland China version of the DPET (DPET-MC) was a reliable and valid instrument and can be used in practice.

Preliminary evaluation of the Chinese version of the Baby Eating Behaviour Questionnaire.

BackgroundThis study was conducted to develop a Chinese version of the Baby Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (BEBQ) and to evaluate its reliability and validity.MethodsThe Chinese version of the BEBQ was developed by translation and back‐translation of the original BEBQ, followed by revision according to experts on the most appropriate item content. Mothers of 300 infants aged <12 months were recruited for survey participation from the paediatric outpatient departments of two large general hospitals in Xi'an, China. Fifty of the mothers were selected randomly for retesting after 2 weeks. Face‐to‐face surveys included explanation of the process, administration of the Chinese version of the BEBQ with regard to the exclusive breast‐feeding period, and demographic data collection. The reliability, validity and discrimination of the questionnaire were evaluated through correlation coefficient calculation, factor analysis, parallel analysis and other methods.ResultsThe Chinese version of the BEBQ consists of 15 items in four dimensions (food responsiveness, enjoyment of food, slowness in eating and satiety responsiveness). The cumulative variance contribution rate was 58.4%, the Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.93, the Guttman split‐half reliability coefficient was 0.87 and the test–retest reliability coefficient was 0.75. The satiety responsiveness and food responsiveness scores differed significantly according to gestational age at birth, infant sex and average monthly weight gain (all P < 0.05). The enjoyment of food score differed significantly according to average monthly weight gain (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe Chinese version of the BEBQ showed good reliability and validity and can be used to evaluate infants' appetite through the assessment of eating behaviour.

Psychometric Properties of WISC-IV Verbal Scales: A Study of Students in China Who Are Blind

Introduction: Numerous studies have investigated the use of Wechsler tests on individuals with visual impairments. However, few studies have examined the utilization of the fourth edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) for such individuals. This study investigated the reliability and validity of the WISC-IV Verbal Scales’ (i.e., the Verbal Comprehension Index [VCI] and the Working Memory Index [WMI]) scores for children with blindness in China. Methods: One hundred children with blindness were assessed using the Chinese version of the WISC-IV Verbal and Nonverbal Cognitive Development Scales. Results: The results of this study generally support the internal consistency reliability and validity of WISC-IV Verbal Scale scores for Chinese children who are blind. The split-half reliability coefficients ranged from .79 to .97, while Cronbach’s alpha or KR-20 (KR-20 is a measure of internal consistency reliability for measures with dichotomous choices) reliability coefficients ranged from .83 to .97. In terms of construct validity through exploratory factor analysis, the subtests of the WISC-IV Verbal Scale were confirmed to belong to VCI or the WMI as intended by the original structure of the WISC-IV. The convergent validity showed that the VCI and WMI scores were moderately and positively correlated with the Nonverbal Cognitive Development Scale. Discussion: The WISC-IV VCI and WMI were found to be valuable instruments for assessing the cognitive abilities of students in China with blindness. Finally, the limitations and significance of the study were also discussed. Implications for practitioners: The WISC-IV Verbal Scales may be used to assess the cognitive abilities of the numerous students in China who are blind and may be used as one of many tests to provide reference information for educational placement, educational planning, employment, and project evaluation.

The Psychometric Properties of the Economic Measures Index

This study aims to adapt the Economic Measures Index (EMI) in Turkish. EMI was developed by Conger et al. (1990) in order to measure couples/romantic partners' economic problems. It consists of independent subscales that measure economic hardship comprehensively. These subscales include economic hardship (indicators of family economic conditions and negative economic events), economic pressure (can't make ends meet, material needs and financial cutbacks) and financial concerns. Participants consisted of 278 students (152 girls and 126 boys) from 6th, 7th and 8th grades (secondary schools) and 9th, 10th and 11th grades (high schools) and their mothers and fathers. The Economic Strain Scale (ESS) developed to assess how often students experienced economic strain in their life were used to test the criterion validity of the EMI. The correlation coefficients between the EMI and ESS ranged between .25 and .31. The Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency coefficients of the subscales of the EMI ranged from 80 to .91. The split-half reliability coefficients of subscales ranged between .76 and .88. The analyses showed that the Turkish form of the EMI had sufficient validity and reliability values. Keywords: Economic hardship, economic pressure, financial concerns, validity, reliability

EXPLORING THE NEXUS AMONG MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS, PROBLEM-SOLVING AND MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONAL ABILITIES OF PHYSICS STUDENTS

This study examined the relationship among multiple representations, problem-solving and multiple representational abilities of senior secondary school physics students. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were adopted. Two hundred and ninety-four senior secondary school Physics students selected from six purposively sampled coeducational and urban schools in Education Districts V of Lagos State formed the sample. Test of Knowledge of Multiple Representations Abilities in Projectiles and Equilibrium of forces (TKMRA-PE), Multiple Representations Abilities Assessment Instrument (MRAI) and Problem-Solving Assessment Instrument (PSAI) were used to collect data. The reliability coefficients were determined to be 0.83, 0.75 and 0.70 using split-half reliability coefficient respectively. Three research questions raised for investigation alongside one corresponding null hypothesis were tested. Quantitative data gathered were analysed using the bar graph, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Regression analysis. Findings of this study revealed that there was no relationship between multiple representational and problem-solving abilities; r = .260; p > 0.05. Furthermore, the study revealed that there was a significant causal relationship among multiple representations, problem-solving and multiple representational abilities. Multiple representations and problem-solving accounted for 31.4% of the variance in the multiple representational abilities of physics students. The study concluded that multiple representations enhanced multiple representational abilities in Physics. The use of multiple representations should be explored by Physics teachers to develop in-depth conceptual understanding.

Comparative Study of Computer Assisted Instruction and Traditional Methods of Teaching Keyboarding among Polytechnic Students

The study was carried out to compare Computer Assisted Instruction and Traditional Methods of Teaching Keyboarding among Polytechnic Students in South West Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria. In order to achieve this, one specific objective was raised. In line with the specific objectives, four research questions and hypotheses were formulated for the study. Experimental design, specifically pretest-posttest control group design, was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised of nine hundred and eighty students (980) from ten Polytechnics. Out of these, six Polytechnics used for the study were purposively selected from ten Polytechnics in South West Geo-Political zone, Nigeria. Thirty (30) students from each of the six (6) Polytechnics made up of the sample size of one hundred and eighty students (180) who were selected for the study through random sampling. The instrument used for data collection was Keyboarding Speed and Accuracy Test (KSAT), which was duly validated with a split-half reliability coefficient of 0.81. The data collected were statistically analyzed using mean and standard deviation for the research question. The null hypothesis was tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The findings include among others that, the computer-assisted instruction group was better in keyboarding speed and accuracy than the traditional method group because of the significant difference found between the speed and accuracy mean scores of students taught using computer-assisted instruction and those taught using traditional methods. The study concludes that computer-assisted instruction is a better method of teaching keyboarding. Based on the findings and conclusion, it was recommended among others that; Keyboarding teachers should use computer-assisted instruction method in teaching speed and accuracy in keyboarding and that Polytechnic Management should also provide necessary facilities such as computers and software that will facilitate effective teaching and learning of keyboarding skills using Computer Assisted Instruction. Keywords: Computer, Assisted, Instruction, Traditional, Methods, Keyboarding DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-10-09 Publication date: April 30 th 2021

Development and Validation of the Humanistic Practice Ability of Nursing Scale

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to develop a Humanistic Practice Ability of Nursing (HPAN) scale adapted to China and validate its psychometric properties. MethodsThe original HPAN scale was revised through a literature review. Sixteen experts who met the inclusion criteria were consulted 2 rounds by the Delphi method. According to their suggestions and opinions, the structure, content, and semantics of each item of HPAN were modified, and a HPAN scale was preliminarily developed. The HPAN scale was validated through item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, convergent validity, and reliability. The data came from 406 first-class hospital nurses. ResultsA 5-dimension, 29-item HPAN scale demonstrated satisfactory fit with significant factor loadings. The split-half reliability coefficient of the scale was .98, the split-half reliability coefficient of each dimension was .86–.99, Cronbach's α coefficient was .96, and the Cronbach's α coefficient of each dimension was .87–.98. The model fit of the scale was good, and the items of the scale showed convergent and discriminant validity. ConclusionThe HPAN scale indicated that the reliability and validity were good. It is easy to imply factors of HPAN. This scale can be used to assess the HPAN.

Impact of Personal Resource Inventory on Psychological Well-Being and Depression in Pakistani Sample

The objective of the study was to find out the impact of Personal Resource variable on psychological well-being and depression in Pakistani population. Study design was cross-sectional research design, survey method. The study was conducted in privately registered, semi-government and government institutions of Rawalpindi and Federal Capital Territory during the year 2016-2018. Data was collected using purposive random sampling from 200 employees working in private, semi-government and government organizations. 55.5% were males and 44.5% were females; Mean age = 26.81 (SD = 5.7); Mean job experience was M = 4.5; SD = 5.49; highest qualification was 35 % Masters among Matric, Inter, Graduation, M.Phil and PhD. Results of the study showed that regression analysis showed that Personal Resource variable accounts for 21% of variance in psychological wellbeing and 27% of variance in depression. The alpha coefficient reliability for the newly constructed four factors of self-efficacy, resilience, hope and optimism based questionnaire, was found to be α = 0.86 and split half reliability coefficient was .74 and .79 on Pakistani sample which was sufficiently adequate. Hence our objective of the study which was to find out the impact of Personal Resource variable on mental health and depression within Pakistani culture was thus established.

Relationship with early and late adolescent's educational aspiration in secondary school in Kalkudah zone, Batticaloa in Sri Lanka

Understanding the relationship with early (junior grades) and late adolescents’ (senior grades)educational aspiration (EA) is important in determining effective and valid performance in these grades of secondary schools in Sri Lanka. The students ‘educational aspiration is the determination factor of their future performance in life. The Objective of this study is to find out any relationship with early (junior grades) and late (senior grades) adolescents’ educational aspiration in secondary school in urban and Semi-urban area in Kalkudah zone, Sri Lanka. Determining the correlation between these two variables is important for all academics to understand, so that all students can achieve to their academic potential. In this study was a design survey method was used and directed at the population of senior secondary students in Kalkudah zone, Batticaloa district of Eastern Province in Sri Lanka. Ten school of 1AB, 1C, grades were selected from this research area. These schools were stratified random into urban (3) and semi-urban (7) schools among 1AB and 1C. 160 students who studied in grade 9, and 160 students who studied in grade 13 science and arts stream were selected at systematic random. 32 samples were selected from each school among grade 9 and 13. The average age of the students is 13.4 (early adolescent - grade 9) and 17.5 (late adolescent - grade 13). The research instruments, questionnaire format titled Student's Questionnaire; it's to measure the students ‘aspiration with teacher responses about the students’ attitude to the subject. Reliability was checked by test - retest after three weeks for the EA. The very high correlations obtained reveal the reliability of the instruments of measurement. Its split-half reliability coefficient of correlation yields are 0.81, 0.84, and 0.89 for Academic Motivation (AM), Self Concept (SC) and Students Attitude towards Education (SAE) respectively. Null hypotheses was postulated from objectives and tested at 0.05 level of significant to determine how the relationship of junior grade's (early adolescent) educational aspiration correlates on senior grade's (late adolescent). The data was collected through questionnaire related to the variable. Qualitative and quantitative method (mixed method) was used to analysis. Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) which includes t - test and Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient was used in analyses. The result revealed that, there are strong evidences to prove that there are no relationships between the EA of early adolescence (grade 9) and late adolescence (grade 13). Hence the null hypothesis is completely accepted. That is, there is no significant relationship between the EA of Grade 9 and EA of grade 13. This research findings have been explored the educational aspiration of junior and senior grades in secondary school and current nature of the research areas also gives different levels of variables of EA in the secondary school students.

Reliability Evidence for the Gibson Assessment of Cognitive Skills (GACS): A Brief Tool for Screening Cognitive Skills Across the Lifespan.

PurposeThe aim of the current study was to examine and report three sources of reliability evidence for the Gibson Assessment of Cognitive Skills, a paper-based, brief cognitive screening tool for children and adults measuring working memory, processing speed, visual processing, logic and reasoning, and three auditory processing constructs: sound blending, sound segmenting, sound deletion along with work attack skills.Sample and MethodsThe sample (n = 103) for the current study consisted of children (n = 73) and adults (n = 30) between the ages of 6 and 80 (M = 20.2), 47.6% of which were female and 52.4% of which were male. Analyses of test data included calculation of internal consistency reliability, split-half reliability, and test–retest reliability.ResultsOverall coefficient alphas range from 0.80 to 0.94, producing a strong source of internal consistency reliability evidence. The split-half reliability coefficients ranged from 0.83 to 0.96 overall, producing a strong second source of reliability evidence. Across all ages, the test–retest reliability coefficients ranged from 0.83 to 0.98. For adults ages 18 to 80, test–retest reliability coefficients ranged from 0.73 to 0.99. For children ages 6 through 17, test–retest reliability coefficients ranged from 0.89 to 0.97. All correlations were statistically significant at p < 0.001, indicating strong test–retest reliability and stability across administrations.ConclusionThe evidence collected for the current study suggests that the GACS is a reliable brief screening tool for assessing cognitive skill performance in both children and adults.

Desenvolvimento e validação de medidas psicofísicas de sensibilidade ao contraste de segunda-ordem

A medida de sensibilidade ao contraste (SC) de primeira ordem é frequentemente utilizada para avaliação da percepção espacial. Nosso objetivo foi desenvolver e validar um teste de SC de segunda ordem para aplicação clínica. Modificações metodológicas foram realizadas na rotina psicofísica para redução do tempo de testagem e no primeiro experimento validamos a nova metodologia. Em um segundo experimento, dezesseis participantes foram testados nas mesmas condições do primeiro experimento. As medidas de consistência interna por alfa de Cronbach foram robustas para a medida de primeira ordem sendo α= 0,788, segunda ordem por ruído branco α= 0,668 e por ruído rosa α= 0,717. O desenvolvimento e validação deste novo experimento para medidas de SC de segunda ordem permitirá avançar nos estudos dos mecanismos básicos da percepção de espaço para estímulos complexos, assim como a aplicação clínica em diversas doenças.

Validity and Reliability of the Obsession with the COVID-19 Scale

Aims: The spread of Covid-19 worldwide has challenged public health and has had various psychological consequences. The present study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Obsession with the COVID-19 scale. Instrument & Methods: As a descriptive-correlational study and to validate the Obsession with the COVID-19 scale, 392 people over 18 participated online, using the available sampling method from May to August 2020. A demographic questionnaire, Obsession with the COVID-19 Scale and Fear of Covid-19 Scale, was used to collect data. To evaluate the instrument's reliability, Cronbach's alpha internal consistency method and halving in the form of SPSS 25 statistical software and to evaluate the construct validity, confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis with the orthogonal rotation of Varimax type in Lisrel 8.8 software were used. Findings: Exploratory factor analysis identified all four items as one factor. Also, the results of the confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the construction. The convergent validity of the scale with fear of Covid-19 showed a correlation value of 0.25 (p<0.01). In the scale's validity, Cronbach's alpha value was estimated to be 0.797, and the split-half reliability coefficient was estimated to be 0.771. Conclusion: Obsession with the COVID-19 Scale can be used as a suitable measurement tool in research.

A Critical Analysis of the WAQ: The Development of a Korean Form

The current study aimed to develop a simplified version of the Korean Workaholism Scale (KOWS) by determining the reliability and validity of the Workaholism Analysis Questionnaire (WAQ) initially created by Aziz etal. The original scale of the WAQ was translated into Korean and then administered to 4,242 working people from a broad range of economic sectors. The nation-wide sample was a representative one from the 17th wave Korean Labor and Income Panel Study in 2014. The main body comprises two steps. First, through an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) as well as a reliability analysis, along with content validity examination among experts, thirteen items from the original WAQ were eliminated. The EFA yielded a four-factor solution with four items established in compulsive dependency (CD), four in illusion of control (IC), four in endurance of conflicts (EC), and four in withdrawal symptoms (WS). This process provided a succinct and convenient measure of workaholism, the KOWS with 16 items. The reliability coefficient (α) of the new scale was .90, and the split-half reliability coefficient was .72. Secondly, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed by way of structural equation modeling to validate the new construct. This KOWS showed adequate convergent validity (AVE > .5), construct reliability (CR > .7), as well as discriminant validity (AVE > ρ2). Between four subscales of the KOWS and affective commitment (AC) to organizations there proved meager correlation. In conclusion, the KOWS with 16-item psychometric properties is a valid and reliable tool to measure workaholism in South Korea.