Validity Of Research Instrument Research Articles

Validity and Reliability of the Postgraduate Self-Determined Learning Questionnaire (PSLQ)

Abstract: Postgraduate students have to play active roles in self-determined learning, as major agent in their own learning and research activities. There is a lack of validated research instruments to measure self-determined learning among postgraduate students. The Postgraduate Self-Determined Learning Questionnaire (PSLQ) was specifically developed to fill in the gaps. This study aims to examine the validity and reliability of the PSLQ through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The original version of PSLQ has 59 items and it was administered to a sample of 201 postgraduate students from a research-intensive university in Malaysia. The results of EFA revealed that PSLQ measures four distinct factors; learner-centered learning, interactive non-linear learning, double-loop reflection, and capacity development, which accounted for 54.22% of the variance in self-determined learning. The total number of items in PSLQ has been reduced to 42, after 17 items were removed. The instrument demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha value of a=.959. The findings suggest that PSLQ is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to measure self-determined learning among postgraduate students. Implications of the research findings are discussed in this paper.
 
 Keywords: Heutagogy, Postgraduates, Reliability, Self-determined learning, Validity

Attitude Over Knowledge and Skill: Enabler of Research Productivity (RP) Among Graduate Students in One State University in the Philippines

The aim of this study is to measure the research knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA) of graduate students and test whether the KSA are enablers of research productivity (RP) of graduate students. A descriptive-correlation research design of the research was employed with fifty purposively selected graduate students served as the respondents of the study. A validated research instrument consisting of 121 items was utilized with an average Cronbach’s alpha of 0.967. The questionnaire was administered before the classes in Advanced methods of research begins. Based on the study, the level of knowledge and skills of the graduate students were on the average level while their attitude was high. It was also found that the research productivity of graduate students considering the completed research, presented, published, and research with citations was low. Results of the study showed that attitude affects significantly research productivity. Problems on research writing of the graduate students based on the results include knowledge on statistical analysis, confidence, instrument preparation, among others. Several trainings requested by the respondents are included in the paper.

Uses and gratifications of educational apps: A study during COVID-19 pandemic

Although educational apps have emerged as an easily available and accessible alternative to classroom learning, particularly at the time of pandemics like COVID-19, no research has attempted to identify learners intentions behind the usage of different educational apps. The current study developed a valid and reliable research instrument to measure the motivations behind using educational apps. Using the mixed method approach commonly used in uses and gratification (U&G) research, i.e., open-ended essays & national survey (N = 552), this study identified seven gratifications behind learners intention to use educational apps: academic assistance, convenience, entertainment, social influence, novelty, engagement and activity. The result suggests that academic assistance, convenience and social influence were the significant predictors of the intention to use educational apps. The current research also identified the moderating effect of gender in selecting educational apps. One of the most significant contributions of the present study is that it extended the uses and gratification theory applications beyond the traditional media to explain the intention to use educational apps.

The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy on the Aggression and Anxiety of Mentally Retarded Students

Aim: The present article was done with the aim to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral play therapy on the aggression and anxiety of mentally retarded students. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental method with a pretest, posttest and delay post design plus control group. The statistical society of the study consisted of mentally retarded male students of second grade of elementary exceptional schools during 2021-2022 and among them 30 students were selected as the sample case and categorized in experimental group (15 students) and control group (15 students). Data collection tools included Shahim (2007) aggression questionnaire and March et al (1997) anxiety questionnaire. The validity of research instruments was confirmed by the approval of specialists, for the research instruments`, the reliability was estimated and approved by calculating Cronbach alpha coefficient (α> 0.7). Prior to the study, Pre-test of aggression and anxiety was implemented in both groups. The experimental group received cognitive-behavioral play therapy through the training package in 12 sessions, but the control group did not receive any training therapy. After the training course in the post-test stage, both of the groups answered to the same questionnaire of pre-test stage; and two months later, research instruments were performed again between both groups. Results: The research data was analyzed with between- within mixed subjects Covariance Analysis. The results revealed that the cognitive-behavioral play therapy had a positive effect on the reduction of students` aggression and anxiety and this effectiveness has been remained stable after two months(P<0.05). Conclusion: According to cognitive-behavioral play therapy effectiveness and its stability in the present research, it was suggested to apply periodically the methods of cognitive-behavioral play therapy with the aim to decrease mentally retarded students` aggression and anxiety.

Behavioral Factors Influencing the Adoption of 1/2S d/2 Tapping System by Smallholder Rubber Farmers in Moneragala District

The adoption of the 1/2S d/2 tapping system by rubber smallholders is far behind the expectation of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka in Moneragala District. This study has assessed the behavioral factors that influence the adoption of the 1/2S d/2 tapping system. Data were collected using stratified random sampling. A self-administrated survey was deployed among rubber smallholders (self-tappers) in Moneragala District during 2020. The conceptual model was developed based on the decomposed theory of planned behavior. Study variables were measured using validated research instruments. A two-stage model-building process was applied. The conceptualized model was tested empirically, using partial least square structural equation modeling (SMART- PLS 3.2 version). The composite six-predictor conceptual framework and structural model explained 79% of the variance in the adoption of the 1/2S d/2 tapping system by rubber smallholders. The adoption of 1/2S d/2 by rubber smallholders positively correlated with the behavioral factors, behavioral intention, and perceived behavioral control. There were positive relationships between; compatibility and attitude, relative advantage and attitude, perceived usefulness and attitude, perceived ease of use and attitude, subjective norms and behavioral intention, facilitating condition, and perceived behavioral control. These findings can help boost the behavioral intention of rubber smallholders in Moneragala District in using 1/2S d/2, especially by improving the aspects of attitude and subjective norms of tappers.

Development and Initial Validation of the Nonparticipation in Nonformal Education Questionnaire

Nonformal adult education (NFE) provides adults with the opportunity to obtain competences needed to adapt to today’s changing job market. Despite the well-documented positive effects of NFE, there remains a lack of valid research instruments to assess factors of nonparticipation. Specifically, defining the perspectives of social groups with the highest incidence of barriers and the lowest level of participation in NFE has not been a primary research goal. This study describes the development and initial validation of a novel research tool entitled the Nonparticipation in Nonformal Education Questionnaire (NP-NFE-Q). The analysis covers the use of the NP-NFE-Q on a representative sample of the adult population ( n = 878) as well as three additional cohorts: low-educated workers ( n = 227), persons caring for children under the age of three ( n = 227), and retired persons ( n = 232). The results consistently support the validation of a correlated five-factor model, which includes two situational, one institutional and two dispositional factors.

Effect of The Covid-19 Pandemic Period on Zero Waste Awareness: A Scale Development Survey

<p>The purpose of study was to develop and validate a scale in order to investigate the consciousness and habits of individuals on zero waste awareness pre-pandemic and during COVID-19 period in Turkey. The study group which was sampled using criteria-sampling consists of 523 individuals who have or have not been infected with the virus. The data collected were analyzed using IBM SPPS and IBM SPSS AMOS software. Cronbach's alpha coefficient calculated for internal consistency in determining the level of reliability of the developed scale was 0.82 and 0.79 for pre- pandemic and during pandemic, respectively. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin coefficients (0.77 and 0.79) and the Bartlett test of sphericity results (both p<0.000) showed that the sample size is satisfactory for the measurement of the construct and the items have patterned relationships. Principal component analysis generated an 8-item scale with two factors. While the 8 items chosen to explain 62% of the total variance for pre- pandemic, they explain 61% of the total variance for during pandemic. Using the results, the goodness of fit indices used (chi-square/df, RMSEA, GFI, IFI, CFI, CR, AVE) for the model have presented that the scale developed in study is valid and reliable research instrument.</p>

Validation of The Mobile Training Management to Improve The Quality Results Training

The success of the training can be seen from how the activation process takes place. One of them is by designing an innovative training model. This research aims to analyze results validation of the mobile training management model. This research uses descriptive quantitative analysis in determining the level of validation of research instruments. This research method uses descriptive quantitative research to assess the level of validation of the research instrument. The sample of this research is the participants of basic level seafaring training at the Surabaya Shipping Polytechnic, the Director of the Surabaya Shipping Polytechnic, and local government employees related to mobile training activities. The research was analyzed based on results validation of the training and education management experts. The results reserach show that the mobile training model instrument is declared valid. Results of expert assessment from training management and managing education are categorized as good. This shows that the mobile training development model in improving the quality of education and training is worthy of further research.

EFFECTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING ON PROJECT PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION FIRMS IN RWANDA, A CASE OF HYGEBAT LTD

Organizational learning is an important function for enhancing project performance because it enables firm’s personnel to acquire and utilize skills and competences through knowledge acquisition, knowledge transformation and knowledge exploitation. This study sought to examine the effects of organizational learning on the project performance in construction firms in Rwanda using the case of Hygebat Ltd. The objectives of the study were to identify the effects of knowledge acquisition analysis, knowledge transformation and knowledge exploitation on the performance of Hygebat Ltd’s construction projects. The researcher used a correlation research design to measure the significance of the relationship between organizational learning and project performance. Data was collected from 54 respondents (5project managers and 49 project staffs) using the close-ended questionnaire and personal interview guide. Respondents were selected by use of stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The validity of research instruments was determined using the content validity index while reliability was verified through the pilot-testing method. Data was analyzed through descriptive (frequency and percentage distribution tables) and inferential statistics (multiple linear regression analysis) and qualitative (use of content analysis). Findings show that all the predictor variables under organizational learning have positive but not statically significant effect on the performance of construction projects in Hygebat Ltd. This is confirmed by the regression coefficients which show that β1=.130(13%), β2=.072(7.2%) and β3=.042 (4.2%) of the positive performance outcomes of Hygebat Ltd’s construction projects are explained by KA, KT and KE respectively. However, the probability values (sig.) of p=.244>0.05 for KA, p=.401>0.05 for KT and p=.682>0.05 for KE show that the effect that organizational learning has on project performance is not statistically significant. Therefore, the research accepts all the null hypotheses (H01, H02 and H03) in explaining the relationship between organizational learning and performance of construction projects in Hygebat Ltd. It is hoped that the study will enable engineers to improve learning and capacity development so that they improve their skills competences and project performance. Other academicians will find the study valuable in benchmarking their studies on the same subject.
 
 

Developing mathematics learning devices based on creative problem solving model in elementary school

The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of teaching materials with a valid, practical, and effective for Creative Problem Solving (CPS) model, to improve mathematics learning outcomes for elementary school students. The teaching materials developed were syllabus, lesson plan, student worksheets and modules. This research used Research & Development (R&D) with a Four-D development model consisting of 4 phases of development, namely: Define, Design, Develop and Disseminate. At the Define phase, the researcher conducts initial analysis, student analysis, concept analysis, performance/task analysis and analysis of the formulation of learning objectives. At the Design phase, the researcher arranges tests, selects formats, and designs the syllabus, lesson plans, worksheets, and modules based on creative problem solving. At the development phase, which consists of the assessment of experts with the results of the validation of teaching materials and the results of the validation of research instruments and the dissemination phase of the dissemination of research tools and results. The research instrument used the implementation of the model, student activities, teacher responses, students’ responses and learning outcomes.

Internal Examination Administration Practices and Students’ Academic Achievement in Public Day Secondary Schools

Globally, education stakeholders have a growing concern about students’ dismal academic achievement in standardized examinations in secondary schools. However, what is not known is how secondary schools internal examination administration practices affect students’ academic achievement. Hence, the purpose of the study was to determine the influence of internal examination administration practices on students’ academic achievement in public day secondary schools in Busia County, Kenya. The hypothesis of the study was that internal examination administration practice has no statistically significant influence on students’ academic achievement in public day secondary schools in Busia County, Kenya. The study was guided by the Education Production Function Theory and employed an ex-post facto research design. The study population comprised of 7,388 form four students of 2020 and 115 Directors of Studies (DOS) in the 115 public day secondary schools in Busia County. Multistage sampling was used to draw a sample of 661 respondents constituting of 626 form four students of 2020 and 35 Directors of Studies. Data was collected using; a questionnaire for form four 2020 students and Directors of Studies; and document analysis. Face and content validity of research instruments were ascertained using experts’ opinion from the supervisors while reliability was determined using Cronbach's Alpha and reliability of 0.954 and 0.923 for the candidates’ questionnaire and Directors of Studies questionnaire respectively were considered reliable. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively using mean and inferentially using Multiple Linear Regression by aid of Stata version 12.1 and results presented inform of tables. The study concluded that ineffectiveness in internal examinationadministration practices in public day secondary schools influence students’ academic achievement in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination. The study recommended that public day secondary schools

The Socio-Economic Environment among Pastoral Communities in West Pokot and Turkana Counties in Kenya

There are conflicts in many pastoral communities around the globe, while the Sahel region and EastoAfrica demonstrate sustained levels of inter-pastoral violent conflicts with associated potential impacts on their livelihoods. Turkana-Pokot Violence across borders, conflict is now the norm. A number of efforts have been made by various bodies to bring peace to the region. Despite the Kenya Police Reservists' disarmament and arming communities, peace building meetings, prosecuting perpetrators, declaring illicit firearms surrender amnesties, and setting up peace committees continue to prevail in the region, insecurity and violent conflict. This study was primarily utilized the Protracted Social Conflicts (PSC) theory of Edward Azar. The study adopted descriptive research design. The study was conducted in Turkana and West Pokot Counties of Kenya. A total of 434 respondents were targeted in Pokot North and Turkana South. The sample size of 130 respondents was selected from each of the two Sub Counties. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, and document analysis and focus group discussions. Pilot study was conducted in Wajir County to establish reliability and validity of research instruments using content analysis and Cronbach alpha respectively. Quantitative data was analyzed using the SPSS to obtain descriptive statistics and chi-square. Qualitative data was analyzed by use of themes and presented in narrative form. Quantitative data was presented in form of tables, charts and graphs. Qualitative data was presented in form of narratives and verbatim quotations. The findings of the study revealed that, the proximity of Turkana County to three international borders, namely; Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia had contributed to the proliferation of small arms through the porous borders that are not governed by the respective governments. This contributed to the availability and cheapness of small arms in Turkana County as a whole, hence the sustenance of the conflict between the two communities. Therefore, this theoretical framework was useful in anchoring the study. The study findings therefore suggested that politics, governance, peace building strategies, commercialization of raided animals and proliferation of small arms are the sustainers of conflict among the pastoral communities of Turkana and West Pokot Counties of Kenya. The next chapter presents the effectiveness of the existing conflict management system towards the conflict between the Turkana and Pokot communities.

Reliability and validity: Importance in Medical Research.

Reliability and validity are among the most important and fundamental domains in the assessment of any measuring methodology for data-collection in a good research. Validity is about what an instrument measures and how well it does so, whereas reliability concerns the truthfulness in the data obtained and the degree to which any measuring tool controls random error. The current narrative review was planned to discuss the importance of reliability and validity of data-collection or measurement techniques used in research. It describes and explores comprehensively the reliability and validity of research instruments and also discusses different forms of reliability and validity with concise examples. An attempt has been taken to give a brief literature review regarding the significance of reliability and validity in medical sciences.

Experience of Groove Questionnaire

In recent empirical research, the experience of groove (i.e., the pleasant sense of wanting to move along with the music) has come into focus. By developing the new Experience of Groove Questionnaire (EGQ), Senn et al. (2020) have provided a standardized and validated research instrument for future studies, consisting of the two correlated factors Urge to Move and Pleasure. The present study reports the translation of the English version into German and a validation with a German sample (N = 455). The original version’s factor structure was confirmed by the German data. Test-retest reliability was found to be high (rtt > .85) for both factors. To determine convergent validity, two other scales were included: The Drum Pattern Quality Scale (Frühauf, Kopiez, & Platz, 2013) and the Aesthetic Emotions Scale (Schindler et al., 2017) showed high correlations (.78 < r < .87) with the two factors of the EGQ and therefore indicated convergent validity. We conclude that the German version shows good psychometric properties and recommend its use for future research on the experience of groove.

Public Intention to Prepare for Earthquakes: Psychometric Properties of Persian Version.

Background:People are still not prepared for earthquakes in vulnerable areas although preparedness considered an effective way of reducing the disastrous consequences. A proper tool was needed to assess the predicting factors of mitigation behaviors in a large vulnerable community who speak Persian. This study aimed to introduce the valid and reliable Persian version of public intention to prepare against earthquakes.Methods:Translation, validation and reliability checking articulated according to the standard methodology for Forward-Backward translation and psychometric evaluation. Totally, 369 Tehran households were selected through stratified random sampling from Oct 2016 to Jun 2017. Exploratory Factor Analysis used to check the construct validity of all scales.Results:Face, content and construct validity of all scales confirmed (S-CVR: .65) and (S-CVI/Universal: .98). The finalized Persian version (69 items in 8 scales) showed good reliability over time in test-retest (ICC: .92) and high internal consistency both in the pilot (α: .94) and main studies (α: .94). No significant floor and ceiling effects were found in any of scales.Conclusion:Persian version of Earthquake Public Intention to Prepare is applicable as a valid and reliable instrument for research regarding disaster preparedness in Persian speaking communities.

Ethical consumer practices of senior high school students of selected public and private schools in District 1 Tondo Manila

This study was conducted to assess the ethical consumer practices of selected public and private senior high school of district 1 Tondo, Manila in terms of ecological consciousness and social consciousness. After assessing this, a proposed strategic learning plan for applied economics subject was formulated. This study used purposive sampling in the selection of schools participants, while convenience sampling for students as respondents in gathering data and information needed for the study and collecting data among the selected senior high schools in district 1 Tondo, Manila. In the construction of the questionnaire, the researcher adopts and translate a validated research instrument with the permission of the original owner. The researcher sought the assistance among experts and master teachers coming from different schools to check tagalog translation and validation of the research instrument. Letter of request sent to the division’s office and principal of the school for the administration of the survey. The researcher personally administered the questionnaire to avoid problems that may occur. This study found out that students seldom practiced ethical consumer practices in public senior high school while students from private senior high school sometimes practice ethical consumer practices in terms of ecological consciousness and social consciousness. It is evidently implied with their answers in the survey. Through T-test of independent means, it was revealed that there is a significant difference on the assessment between the public and private senior high school students in ethical consumer practices because the assessment showed the extensiveness of the difference in terms of ecological consciousness and social consciousness of both public and private schools students. Furthermore, they need to strengthen their practices. A proposed strategic learning plan for applied economics subject specifically in consumption topic was formulated based from the findings of the study.

MATHEMATICS EFFICACY AMONG STUDENTS WITH DYSCALCULIA IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN KANDARA SUB-COUNTY, MURANGA COUNTY, KENYA

<p>The thrust of the study was to determine levels of mathematic efficacy among students with dyscalculia in public secondary in Kandara sub-county in Muranga County guided by Expectancy Theory (ET) of motivation developed in 1964 by Victor Vroom. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population for study was 54 Public secondary schools in Kandara Sub-County, out of the 54 targeted schools 7 public secondary schools were sampled for the study. The target respondents were 7 principals, 7 teachers of mathematics, 1 from each school and 125 students were sampled for dyscalculia screening. Research instruments included: questionnaire for mathematics students with dyscalculia, dyscalculia screening instrument, mathematics self -efficacy scale and documentary analysis. Pilot study was conducted in Gaichanjiru Mixed and Kenyoho Secondary schools in Kandara Sub-County, Murang’a County. The validity of research instruments which were used for this study were first tried in a pilot study which helped in clarification of ambiguities prevalent before data collection while the reliability of the research instruments in this study was determined using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient formula. The study used stratified random sampling and purposive sampling to select the schools, teachers and students with dyscalculia respectively. Data for the main study was collected and analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively (Mixed method research). Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 26.0), while qualitative analysis was done by organizing variables into themes. The study reveals that learners without dyscalculia exhibited high self-efficacy in mathematics while those with dyscalculia displayed low self-efficacy in mathematics. The researcher recommends that Students’ mathematics efficacy should be improved by inviting mentors or people who have succeeded in mathematical field to help boost their morale in the subject.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0781/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurse Spirituality, Stress, Coping, Spiritual Well-being, and Intent to Leave: A Mixed-method Study.

Background: Intense emotional demands of oncology nursing create a stressful work environment and increase the likelihood of leaving. The study aims to explore, describe, and understand how pediatric hematology/oncology nurses caring for chronically ill or dying patients use their spirituality to cope with job stress, maintain spiritual well-being (SWB), and continue to work in this specialty. Methods: A concurrent mixed-method research design consisted of a web-based survey and interview. Data collection included demographics, intent to leave questions, and four valid and reliable research instruments measuring spirituality, stress, coping, and SWB. A responsive interview guide directed interviews. Results: Quantitative analysis (n = 130) revealed moderate to high levels of spirituality, moderate stress, coping, and SWB. Stress and SWB were weakly, inversely correlated (r = -.221, p = .011) indicating lower stress was associated with greater SWB. Coping and SWB were weakly, positively correlated (r = .248, p = .005) indicating greater coping was associated with greater SWB. An intent to leave in the next year was reported by 5.4%. Emerging themes from qualitative data (n = 22) included faith-informed or existential spirituality, work environment, and emotional/psychological stressors such as feeling overwhelmed or witnessing suffering and coping through self-care and spirituality. Dimensions of SWB included spiritually based coping and life's meaning and purpose. Intent to leave was related to the work environment or travel distance. Discussion: A nurse's spirituality offers a mechanism for coping with accumulated losses and grief encountered in clinical practice and in turn supports SWB.

Investigating cross-linguistic similarity ratings: A Rasch analysis

A robust finding in psycholinguistics is that cognates and loanwords, which are words that typically share some degree of form and meaning across languages, provide the second language learner with benefits in language use when compared to words that do not share form and meaning across languages. This cognate effect has been shown to exist for Japanese learners of English; that is, words such as table are processed faster and more accurately in English because they have a loanword equivalent in Japanese (i.e., テーブル /te:buru/ ‘table’). Previous studies have also shown that the degree of phonological and semantic similarity, as measured on a numerical scale from ‘completely different’ to ‘identical’, also influences processing. However, there has been relatively little appraisal of such cross-linguistic similarity ratings themselves. Therefore, the present study investigated the structure of the similarity ratings using Rasch analysis, which is an analytic approach frequently used in the design and validation of language assessments. The findings showed that a 4-point scale may be optimal for phonological similarity ratings of cognates and a 2-point scale may be most appropriate for semantic similarity ratings. Furthermore, this study reveals that while a few raters and items misfitted the Rasch model, there was substantial agreement in ratings, especially for semantic similarity. The results validate the ratings for use in research and demonstrate the utility of Rasch analysis in the design and validation of research instruments in psychology.

Investigating cross-linguistic similarity ratings: A Rasch analysis

A robust finding in psycholinguistics is that cognates and loanwords, which are words that typically share some degree of form and meaning across languages, provide the second language learner with benefits in language use when compared to words that do not share form and meaning across languages. This cognate effect has been shown to exist for Japanese learners of English; that is, words such as table are processed faster and more accurately in English because they have a loanword equivalent in Japanese (i.e., テーブル /te:buru/ ‘table’). Previous studies have also shown that the degree of phonological and semantic similarity, as measured on a numerical scale from ‘completely different’ to ‘identical’, also influences processing. However, there has been relatively little appraisal of such cross-linguistic similarity ratings themselves. Therefore, the present study investigated the structure of the similarity ratings using Rasch analysis, which is an analytic approach frequently used in the design and validation of language assessments. The findings showed that a 4-point scale may be optimal for phonological similarity ratings of cognates and a 2-point scale may be most appropriate for semantic similarity ratings. Furthermore, this study reveals that while a few raters and items misfitted the Rasch model, there was substantial agreement in ratings, especially for semantic similarity. The results validate the ratings for use in research and demonstrate the utility of Rasch analysis in the design and validation of research instruments in psychology.