SUMMARY Introduction: This study aims for construct validation using two approaches, i.e., exploratory factor analysis and Rasch Model. Methods: A cross sectional of 313 male workers from multiple worksites had completed self-administered Malay translated version of Three-Factor Eating QuestionnaireR21. Data quality was assessed by misfit person criteria, dimensionality, summary statistic, item measure and rating (partial credit) scale followed by exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency reliability assessment. Results: The dual approaches of construct validation analysis were complement to each other. Rasch analysis supported the theoretical constructs of three eating behaviour dimensions among respondents. In contrary to exploratory factor analysis, it did show presence of a newfound factor (α=0.04) came up from the separation of the cognitive restrain and uncontrolled eating however, the correlation between the two respective sub-factors were fair (r=0.39) and weak (r= -0.08). Both analyses had detected three problematic items but those items were psychometrically fit for used for current study setting. The data had adequate psychometric properties. Cronbach’s alpha for cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating were 0.66, 0.79 and 0.87 respectively. Rating scale quality was conformed to standard criteria. Conclusion: Malay version TFEQ-R21 with promising psychometric properties and valid measures for eating behaviour dimensions among male workers aged between 20 to 60 years old is now available. Further development should focus on the items in relation to Malaysian cultural adaptation before its use for daily practice in future setting.
Psychometrics

PURPOSE: This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and to describe characteristics of the birth experience assessment instrument. METHODS: Literature related to the development of the birth experience assessment instrument was examined using a systematic review method. A literature search was conducted using the keywords as ‘[normal birth]; [satisfac* OR care quality]; [instrument OR scale] AND (development)’ through PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, and RISS. The search used quality appraisal through QUADAS (Quality Assessment of studies of Diagnostic Accuracy included Systemic reviews) yielding 17 records. RESULTS: The birth experience assessment instrument was categorized for instrumental characteristics: birth satisfaction (n=8), perception of labor experience (n=5), and birth care quality assessment in normal and operative birth experiences (n=4). Important key elements for content characteristics were as follows: nursing practice (n=10), pain control (n=5), environment (n=5), participation (n=4), and support (n=4). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the birth experience instrument is appropriate for measuring quality of birth care in various clinical conditions. This review of the birth experience instrument reports that an appropriate psychometric tool for enhancing quality of birth care is important.
Methods ; Nursing ; Parturition* ; Psychometrics

After briefly reviewing theories of standard setting we analyzed the problems of the current cut scores. Then, we reported the results of need assessment on the standard setting among medical educators and psychometricians. Analyses of the standard setting methods of developed countries were reported as well. Based on these findings, we suggested the Bookmark and the modified Angoff methods as alternative methods for setting standard. Possible problems and challenges were discussed when these methods were applied to the National Medical Licensing Examination.
Developed Countries ; Licensure* ; Psychometrics

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review articles related to the psychometric properties of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). METHODS: Systematic literature searches of computerized databases were performed to identify articles on psychometric evaluation of the PSS. RESULTS: The search finally identified 19 articles. Internal consistency reliability, factorial validity, and hypothesis validity of the PSS were well reported. However, the test-retest reliability and criterion validity were relatively rarely evaluated. In general, the psychometric properties of the 10-item PSS were found to be superior to those of the 14-item PSS, while those of the 4-item scale fared the worst. The psychometric properties of the PSS have been evaluated empirically mostly using populations of college students or workers. CONCLUSION: Overall, the PSS is an easy-to-use questionnaire with established acceptable psychometric properties. However, future studies should evaluate these psychometric properties in greater depth, and validate the scale using diverse populations.
Humans ; Psychometrics ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: Since 2000, the Korea University Medical College has conducted Comprehensive Basic Medical Sciences Examination as a summative test. Summative assessment must be dependable in that it meets the highest standards of reliability and validity. The purpose of this study were to examine the validity and reliability of Comprehensive Basic Medical Sciences Examination and to improve the quality of the examination. METHODS: The subject of this study was the examination materials and scores of the test. We conducted exploratory factor analysis to testify validity. Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to examine the reliability. RESULTS: Only one factor was extracted from exploratory factor analysis. Its eigen value was 4.61 and it explained 65.93% of total variance. We could infer the extracted factor as an ability of basic medical sciences knowledge. The reliability coefficient of the test was ranged from 0.45 to 0.74. Of the total 335 item, overall acceptable items were 206(58.0%); the range of difficulty was 0.21~1.00 and discriminative indices were higher than 0.20. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the Comprehensive Basic Medical Sciences Examination in 2000 met the relative highest standards of reliability and validity. Item analysis could be of help to improve the quality of examination
Korea ; Psychometrics* ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVE: The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) was developed as a measure of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). The aim here is to examine the factor structure and concurrent validity of the Korean version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (K-PANAS) in a clinical sample in Korea. METHODS: K-PANAS was administered to a clinical sample in Korea. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were undertaken to examine the factorial structure and reliability of the K-PANAS. RESULTS: The reliability of K-PANAS is satisfactory. CFA showed that several of the models commonly used in Western populations provided an insufficient fit. The modified model provided a more adequate fit to the data. CONCLUSION: The authors demonstrate that the K-PANAS has adequate psychometric properties, and that findings obtained in the West using PANAS were partially replicated.
Appointments and Schedules ; Korea ; Psychometrics

Background: The learning climate has been found to be significant in determining students’ academic achievement and learning. The purpose of this study was to measure the viewpoints of nursing students toward their learning environment at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences (RUMS). Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 202 nursing students using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM). The items, as well as scale scores were compared among nursing students. Also, data was analysed by SPSS19 using t test and ANOVA. Results: The total mean DREEM score was 114.3 (SD 20.6) out of 200 (corresponding to 57.15% of the maximum score), which was considered as more positive than negative. The subscale with the highest mean score was Students’ Perceptions of learning. Mean score of this subscale was 27.3/48 0 (SD 5.9) corresponding to 56.87% of the maximum score. The lowest mean score was for the Academic Self-perceptions 20.31/32 (SD 4.51) (53.44%), The total DREEM score for female students was significantly higher than for males (P = 0.01). The total scores of new entry students were significantly higher than the others (P = 0.01). Conclusion: The school’s educational climate was generally perceived positively by students, but specific areas identified by students as needing improvement. It is essential for managers to make a greater effort to create an appropriate educational environment in order to provide and maintain high quality learning environments for students.
Environment ; Students, Nursing ; Psychometrics

Recent scientific findings on the perception of facial attractiveness coupled with technological advances in computer imaging make it possible to measure the facial characteristics that may be associated with specific judgments of facial appearance. These new methods can be used to produce psychometric norms of facial attractiveness which potentially could supplement the conventional population norms or averages used currently in orthodontic treatment planning. It is hypothesized that consideration of psychometric norms will enhance doctor-patient communication and lead to greater patient satisfaction at the completion of orthodontic treatment.
Judgment ; Patient Satisfaction ; Psychometrics

This study validates The Malay Version of The Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviour. Methods: The psychometric properties of the ISSBMalay Version were examined on sixty-eight women who were Malay native speakers and diagnosed with breast cancer. Respondents answered the questionnaire at three weeks and ten weeks following surgery for breast cancer. Results: The Malay Version of ISSB showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.96). Test-retest Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was 0.03. Small mean differences were observed at test-retest measurement with Effect Size Index 0.18. Conclusion: The Malay Version of the ISSB could be an appropriate tool to measure the supportive behavior of the Malaysian population.
Social Support ; Psychometrics

BACKGROUND: We developed Korean Family Function Assessment Tool(KFFAT). In order to confide in the results of the KFFAT, it was necessary to verify the psychometric properties(validity and reliability). METHODS: To evaluate the reliability of the KFFAT, internal consistency and scale-item correlation was carried out with 800 middle and high school students and their 800 parents. A three-week interval test-retest was also carried out with 50 high school students and their 50 parents. In addition, the KFFAT was compared to the family APGAR and the FACES III to evaluate the validity with 800 middle and high school students and their 800 parents. RESULTS: Cronbach alpha of each scale was 0.55-0.88 and overall scale-item correlation coefficient was believed to be appropriate. Pearson's correlation coefficient of test-retest was 0.49-0.79 in each scale. There is little correlation between the Family APGAR and the FACES III with the KFFAT. However, the KFFAT shows similar results in the function of family with the Family APGAR and the FACES III. CONCLUSION: From this reliability and validity test results, the Korean Family Function Assessment Tool(KFFAT) could be used as a assessment tool of Korean family function.
Humans ; Parents ; Psychometrics ; Reproducibility of Results*