An item evaluation of a newly–developed strength–based approach scale in a South African working population
Year: 2012
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: An item evaluation of a newly developed strength-based approach scale in a South African working population Key terms: Strengths-based approach, item evaluation, reliability, validity, Rasch analysis, positive psychology paradigm, South African working population.South African organisations face the challenge of creating organisations that will engage employees in ways that allow for the optimisation of their strengths.This can be achieved by following a strength-based approach (SBA).An SBA aims to achieve optimisation of human functioning, where talents and strengths are the focus and weaknesses are understood and managed.Although previous research suggests that an SBA has positive influences on individual and organisational outcomes, no instrument exists within the South African context that measures employees' perception of the extent to which they believe their organisation makes use of their strengths and talents.Recently, a new scale was developed to address this need.However, no studies have been done to see how well the items of this scale function.The objectives of this research were to 1) conceptualise an SBA according to literature, 2) determine whether the items in the SBA scale are unidimensional, 3) to determine the internal validity and reliability of the new SBA scale, and 4) make recommendations for future research.A cross-sectional quantitative research design was used whereby online and hardcopy versions of the questionnaire were distributed to participants.A sample of 699 participants was collected from the Gauteng and North-West provinces.Rasch analysis was used to determine the reliability and validity of the items.Acceptable item reliability was found.Both the item and person separation indices were acceptable.Mean infit and outfit indices for both person and item were acceptable.The seven-point frequency-based Likert scale worked satisfactorily overall, although categories 0, 1, and 2 were under-utilised.Finally, the infit and outfit statistics for all eight items functioned satisfactorily, except for one item.Recommendations are made for practice as well as for future research.viiOPSOMMING Titel: 'n Item-evaluering van 'n nuut-ontwikkelde sterktegebaseerde-benadering-skaal in 'n Suid-Afrikaanse werkende bevolking Sleutelterme: Sterkte-gebaseerde benadering, item-evaluering, betroubaarheid, geldigheid, Rasch-analise, positiewe sielkunde-paradigma, Suid-Afrikaanse werkende bevolking.Suid-Afrikaanse organisasies moet die uitdaging die hoof bied om organisasies te skep wat werknemers sal betrek op 'n manier wat voorsiening vir die optimale aanwending van hul sterk punte maak.Dit kan verwesenlik word deur 'n sterkte-gebaseerde benadering (SGB) te volg.'n SGB het optimale menslike funksionering ten doel, waar talente en sterk punte die fokus is en swakhede verstaan en bestuur word.Hoewel vorige navorsing daarop dui dat 'n SGB 'n positiewe invloed op individuele en organisasie-uitkomste het, is daar tans geen instrument binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks wat mense se persepsie kan meet van die mate waarin hulle glo dat hul organisasie van hul sterk punte en talente gebruik maak nie.Daar is onlangs 'n nuwe skaal ontwikkel om hierdie behoefte aan te spreek.Daar is egter tot op hede geen studies gedoen om te bepaal hoe goed die items van die skaal funksioneer nie.Die doelwitte van hierdie navorsing was om 1) 'n SGB volgens die literatuur te konseptualiseer, 2) te bepaal of die items in die SGB-skaal unidimensioneel is, 3) die interne geldigheid en betroubaarheid van die nuwe SGB-skaal te bepaal, en 4) aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing te doen.'n Deursnee-kwantitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is gebruik.Aanlyn-en gedrukte weergawes van die vraelys is aan deelnemers versprei.'n Steekproef van 699 deelnemers van die Gauteng-en die Noordwes-provinsies is gebruik.Raschontleding is gebruik om die betroubaarheid en geldigheid van die items te bepaal.Aanvaarbare item-betroubaarheid is gevind.Beide die item-en die persoon-skeidingindekse was aanvaarbaar.Gemiddelde infit-en outfit-indekse vir beide die persoon en die item was aanvaarbaar.Die sewepunt frekwensie-gebaseerde Likertskaal het oor die algemeen bevredigend gewerk, hoewel kategorieë 0, 1 en 2 onderbenut was.Ten slotte, die infit-en outfit-statistieke vir al agt items het bevredigend gefunksioneer, behalwe vir een item.Aanbevelings word vir die praktyk sowel as vir toekomstige navorsing gedoen.
Author: Nana Taboa Tabiri
Language: English
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2234127343