Methodological rigour and coherence in the construction of instruments: The emotional social screening tool for school readiness

African Journal of Psychological Assessment

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Methodological rigour and coherence in the construction of instruments: The emotional social screening tool for school readiness
 
Creator Munnik, Erica Smith, Mario R.
 
Subject Psychology; Education E3SR; test construction; systematic review; concept mapping; Delphi study; survey research
Description The need for a contextually relevant and empirically grounded measure of emotional social competence in Grade R children was identified in the literature. The aim of this study was to develop a contextually relevant instrument for emotional social competence in preschool children. The study adopted a four-phase approach with each phase using distinct methodological approaches. This article reports on the use of multiple research methods to achieve methodological rigour and coherence in the construction. Phase 1 used systematic review methodology to establish a theoretical foundation for the instrument. The results identified two domains and nine subdomains that formed the theoretical model for the instrument. In phase 2 stakeholder perceptions of emotional and social competence were identified through concept mapping to increase contextual relevance and sensitivity. The results highlighted that early stimulation and contextual factors impacted school readiness and needed to be included. The construction of the instrument incorporated the findings from the first two stages. The draft instrument was presented to a panel of experts, using the Delphi technique, for validation of content and scalar decisions in phase 3. The results supported the proposed format and content of the screening tool. The resulting instrument was piloted in phase 4 with survey research. Good internal consistency was reported and the factor structure supported. The multiphase methodology provided an overarching framework with methodological rigour and coherence. The grounding in the literature, stakeholder consultation and rigorous validation processes enhanced the resultant instrument. The articulation of one phase into the next ensured methodological coherence.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor National Research Foundation Thutuka Track
Date 2019-06-24
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Systematic review; Concept mapping, focus groups and individual interviews; Delphi study; Survey research, pilot study, Exploratory- and Confirmatory Factor analyses
Format text/html application/epub+zip application/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/ajopa.v1i0.2
 
Source African Journal of Psychological Assessment; Vol 1 (2019); 7 pages 2617-2798 2707-1618
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://ajopa.org/index.php/ajopa/article/view/2/30 https://ajopa.org/index.php/ajopa/article/view/2/29 https://ajopa.org/index.php/ajopa/article/view/2/31 https://ajopa.org/index.php/ajopa/article/view/2/28
 
Coverage South Africa South Africa Stakeholders: Proffesionals, Teachers; Caregivers. 5-7 year olds.
Rights Copyright (c) 2019 Erica Munnik, Mario R. Smith https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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