Search

Aim: In the present studies, we examine the construct validity and criterionrelated validity of a previously unpublished, eight-item measure of relational wellbeing. Methods: First, in two pre-COVID-Era pilot studies within the UK (n's = 207 and 146, respectively), results of exploratory factor analyses revealed that--with the possible exception of one item regarding close relationships--the items assessed individual differences along a single dimension (i.e., relational wellbeing), rather than two distinct dimensions (i.e., social connections and close relationships). Second, in an initial pre-COVID-Era main study within the UK (n = 192), results of confirmatory factor analyses provided support for the hypothesized onedimensional factor pattern, although the same problematic item from the pilot studies continued to under-perform relative to the other seven items. Findings: In a subsequent COVID-Lockdown-Era main study across India (n = 205), Greece (n = 354), and the UK (n = 390), results of confirmatory factor analyses established that--after omitting the same problematic item that had surfaced in the preceding studies--a one-dimensional factor pattern provided equally satisfactory fit for the three samples. Original value: Although we had not set out to test a priori hypotheses regarding mean similarities or differences in relational wellbeing among our COVIDLockdown-Era studies, results of an analysis of variance revealed that persons within the UK scored significantly lower in relational wellbeing than did persons in India or Greece. Limitations: As noted above, one particular item repeatedly performed poorly in factor analyses; this item ideally should be dropped from the relational wellbeing scale in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was aimed at measuring farmers' helpline services quality in India using a standardized multi-factor scale (HELPQUAL) developed as part of this study. The present study is based on 360 farmers' and 45 experts' responses gathered using telephonic interviews and mailed questionnaires during the year 2021–22. The principal axis exploratory factor analysis, parallel analysis and Likert scaling were utilized to assess the scalability of items and identify underlying factors. The 19 item HELPQUAL consisting of four factors, namely dependability, accessibility, understandability and communication effectiveness, was developed. The reliability of the overall scale was excellent (α = 0.908), whereas the factor-wise reliability was excellent to acceptable (i.e. α = 0.918 to 0.72). The convergent validity of the scale was also excellent (0.819). The HELPQUAL scale developed is the first to measure the quality of agricultural helpline services. There are several farmers' helpline services across the globe, however, no standardized scale has been developed to date for measuring their quality. Moreover, HELPQUAL is highly sector-specific, and factors like accessibility and understandability are different from the dimensions of generic SERVQUAL and SERVPERF scales. Therefore, it is advantageous and appropriate in the quality evaluation of agricultural extension services. This study provides the first standardized scale for measuring the quality of farmers' helpline services. This study supports the argument that widely used SERVEQUAL and SERVPERF scales and their dimensions lack universal applicability in service quality measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript reports the development and validation of the three-dimensional Grit Scale (3-D Grit Scale). The psychometric measure developed has three factors, Perseverance-Commitment (PC), Interest-Passion (IP), and Goal-directed Resilience (GR) through a series of five studies; study 1 (n = 409) for item analysis, study 2 (n = 334) for exploratory factor analysis, study 3 (n = 514) for confirmatory factor analysis and study 4 (n = 214) and 5 (n = 107) to assess the validity. The sample included students and working professionals aged between 18 and 25, residing in different parts of India. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the scale excellently fits in the three-correlated factor model and the two-level hierarchical model indexing grit as a total of three first-order factors. The final 17-item 3-D Grit Scale showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.86), and split-half reliability (Spearman-brown = 0.80, Guttman = 0.80). Validation studies showed that the scores of the 3-D Grit Scale were moderately correlated with (a) 12 item grit scale (Duckworth et al., 2007) and the brief resilience scale (smith et al., 2008), indicating good concurrent and convergent validities (b) conscientiousness revealing that both the constructs are mutually exclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As work-stress, is associated with Non Communicable Diseases, and decreased work productivity, health and economic benefits are expected from periodic work-stress screening among employees using valid and reliable tools. Tool to Assess and classify Work Stress (TAWS– 16) was developed to overcome limitations in existing work-stress assessment tools in India. This study aims to test face, content, criterion and construct validity of TAWS– 16 in a sample of managerial-supervisory employees. Methods: Nine domain experts rated face and content validity of TAWS– 16. Content validity was measured by Content Validity Indices (I-CVI, S-CVI) and Modified Kappa statistics. Empirical validity was tested by analysing data reported from 356 Information Technology (IT) professionals wherein Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted for the assessment of Construct Validity. Self-reported data was collected in an unlinked and anonymous manner using a web-link, which was emailed to the study subjects, after initial introductory telephone or personal conversation. Criterion Validity was tested against stress sub-scale of DASS– 21. This study was approved by NIMHANS ethics committee. Results: Findings revealed that TAWS– 16 has good face validity. The content validity is acceptable (CVI = 0.829). Construct Validity is appropriate as 60.8% of the total variance was explained by the factors identified in our study. Criterion Validity was moderate (Kappa Value 0.208) due to inappropriate work-stress instrument for comparison with TAWS– 16. Conclusions: Overall, TAWS– 16 demonstrated good face, content and construct validity. It measures work-stressors, coping abilities and psycho-somatic symptoms associated with work-stress. We recommend use of TAWS– 16 for periodic screening and classification of work-stress among employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to perform a psychometric evaluation of the internal green marketing (IGM) scale in the context of consumer, industrial and service industry from a developing economy. Drawing on IGM theory, this study validates the measurement scales to operationalize IGM as green internal communication (GIC), green skill development (GSD) and green rewards (GRs). Design/methodology/approach: The sample was drawn from the consumer, industrial and service industries in Jammu and Kashmir, India, using a random sampling method. Data were collected from consumer, industrial and service industries in two phases through a self-administrated questionnaire-based survey. In total, 137 managers responded during the first phase, and 368 managers responded during the second phase. During the first phase, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to uncover the underlying dimensions of IGM, and during the second phase, data were analyzed to test the validity of the IGM scale through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Findings: EFA suggested a three-dimension scale (green internal communication (GIC), green skill development (GSD), and green rewards (GR)) which was confirmed by CFA. The findings of the study demonstrate that IGM is a valid and reliable scale to capture the individual-level perception of the employees with respect to the green internal marketing of an organization. Practical implications: This paper is expected to provide valuable insights into the area of internal green marketing (IGM) about an industry that can be of immense help to domestic and international marketers in formulating human resource (HR)/marketing strategies. Further, it provides a wide-ranging scale that can act as a base for future research studies that aim to explore internal green marketing (IGM) in different organizational settings. Originality/value: IGM is embedded in three underlying elements as GIC, GSD and GRs. It is suitable to the practitioner and researchers to operationalize IGM as a second-order construct in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism is rising as a leisure activity among millennials, it is growing at a very fast pace. To understand this growth, this study is focusing on the socio-psychology aspect of the people. The factors causing socio-psychological disequilibrium have been explored through the statistical technique. The study sample consisted of residents from Delhi. Theoretically, five constructs were developed of disequilibrium and same factors were extracted through exploratory factor analysis. The identified factors are escape, relaxation, self-development, family needs & socialisation. In addition, the study has tested how the factors are acting as a push for the people, which cause them to move from their residence to the destination. The scale has been validated through establishing content validity & construct validity. The reliability of the research instrument has been tested through a split-half form of reliability. The study helps the tourism managers to understand their customer's motivations so as to market and cater them accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India anemia is a common problem among Antenatal Women. In order to decrease maternal mortality, it is important to create knowledge among antenatal women. Varied instruments have been used to assess knowledge on anemia. However, there is a shortage for validated instruments in India for assessing anemia knowledge. Objectives: the aim of present study is to develop a reliable and valid questionnaire to assess the knowledge of anemia to be used in antenatal women, reproductive women and adolescent girls. Design: The research team developed twenty multiple choice questionnaire and an expert panel analyzed them for content validity before administering to the antenatal women. Before pretest researchers measured face validity and construct validity. Problematic items were identified to prove the structure of the questionnaire by performing exploratory factor analysis and covariance structure analysis. Validation study was conducted to evaluate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Setting: The study was conducted in antenatal outpatient department of selected primary health centers at Thriuvallur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Subjects: Six nursing and one psychology expert, ten Village Health Nurse (VHN) and 100 antenatal mothers participated in the mission. Results: During factorial analysis sampling adequacy was measured by using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test (MSA) = 0.87 and Bartlett's test of sphericity was X2 = 458.338 (p < 0.001). Varimax with Kaiser normalization rotation was performed and three factors were defined. The "general awareness" consists of four items (a = 0.79), anemia investigation and treatment component consists of six items (a = 0.81) and under diet and complication of anemia component, there is a five item factor (a = 0.89). In individual questions factor analysis, Cronbach's alphas ranged from .84 and .86. 15.2% indicating total variance. There is no statistical significance between test and retest method. Conclusion: The questionnaire showed good validity and reliability (internal consistencyand reproducibility), hence we can use this questionnaire among adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the paper is to develop a validated scale to measure the factors that cause delays in infrastructure projects. The study employed a standard three phase scale development procedure of Churchill (1979) which was augmented subsequently by Nunnally, Bernstein and Berge (1994) and Prakash and Phadtare (2018). In phase one, 73 factors that cause delays were identified, which were reduced to 45 based on literature review and expert opinions. These 45 factors were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in phase two and three, respectively, to refine and establish convergent, discriminant and nomological validity of the scale. The study confirms that delays in infrastructure projects happen due to six factors, i.e., Contractor Related Factors (CON); Consultant Related Factors (CS); External Factors (EX); Labour Related Factors (LR); Material Related Factors (MT) and Design Related Factors (DJ). The study is particularly useful for the firms engaged in the development of infrastructure projects globally, as it identifies and ranks the factors that cause delays in a project. However, the study being confirmatory in nature only confirms the grouping of factors causing delays and is also limited by the possibility of sampling error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radiological examination play an important role in the decision making process for clinical management. However, the application of radiology services is not fully justified, indeed there is extensive literature supporting the notion that a large number of unnecessary and inappropriate diagnostic imaging examinations are requested instead. There is also little or no understanding by medical practitioners on radiation hygiene, or on which imaging test is appropriate in order to provide the greatest sensitivity and specificity for a specific condition. Method: A combination of both qualitative and quantitative method was used to carry out to develop and standardize the radiation perception tools for medical practitioners in India. Data was analyzed using the SPSS 15 where descriptive, Frequency analysis, Cronbach's Alpha coefficient and Exploratory Factor analysis were used to standardize the tool. Results: The content validity, pilot test, factor loading and internal consistency reliability of the final fortyone items which measuring the Medical Practitioner's perception on radiology examination were found to be highly adequate. Conclusions: In conclusion, a valid scale has been developed to evaluate the patient and Medical Practitioner's perception on radiology examination. This scale is the first instrument of its kind to assess the perception on radiology examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The development of innovation capability (IC) is a central issue for both practitioners and academicians. However, studies that investigate the dimension of IC in the context of micro-enterprises are absent. Based on capability-based view, the purpose of this paper is to identify important dimensions to build a scale to measure IC in micro-enterprises. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on focus group discussions for item generation and questionnaire survey on a sample of 379 micro-enterprises in India. The scale is developed with the help of exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Statistical tests demonstrate that the scale presents composite reliability as well as discriminant and convergent validity. Findings: The findings show that four dimensions form IC in micro-enterprises: resources, networking, risk taking and involvement. Originality/value: This study develops a new scale, which is a measure of IC of micro-enterprises. The implications have been recommended, which focus upon entrepreneurs, academicians and policymakers interested in developing the IC of micro-enterprises in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present piece of work was to development and validation of acculturative stress scale for within country migrated students in India. Following the incidental cum random sampling technique, 200 North Indian students within the age range of 18 to 24 years were drawn from the different institution of Warangal districts, Telangana, India to serve as participants in the present research work. Dimensions of acculturative stress were decided on the basis of the review of the literature on acculturative stress. Items were pooled out by unstructured interviews. Content validity was analysed by content validity index (CVI) suggested by (Lynn, 1986). The item analysis was done by corrected item-total correlation. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed for explored all possible factor. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to confirm explored factors. Moreover, reliability, convergent, discriminant and concurrent validities were also examined. EFA of 19-item pool yielded a 16-item measure with five independent dimensions. The items communalities ranges are greater than .400. Overall variance explained by all these factors is 63.50%. CFA also confirmed the explored all five factors from the EFA. The findings indicated that ASS-16 has sufficient convergent and discriminant validity. The composite reliability was more than .700 for each of the five factors. All five factors of the ASS-16 are significantly associated with criterion measure. It is concluded that there is sufficient empirical and statistical evidence of internal consistency and construct validity of ASS-16. The theoretical and practical issues have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to develop, measure and validate an instrument for barriers to the adoption of circular economy practices in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Using both inductive and deductive approaches, a scale was developed to assess barriers to the adoption of the circular economy practices. Then a structured and rigorous procedure was followed using the survey data of 269 participants selected from different industries in India. The measurement scales were tested and validated using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling using IBM SPSS 26 and AMOS 26 tools. A competing model strategy was used to explore the most parsimonious measurement model that best fits the data. The results confirmed the existence of seven dimensions of barriers to the adoption of circular economy practices. The final instrument demonstrated a satisfactory level of reliability, convergent, discriminant and nomological validity. The instrument offers significant theoretical and managerial implications and is expected to assist scholars and practitioners in future empirical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]