Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Cronbach's alpha'

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The coordinator of the undergraduate program has a strategic importance for the achievement of the goals of higher education institutions. There are, however, related to the gap behaviors, competencies and duties to exercise due scientific knowledge, as there is a lack of planned actions for the development of faculty for management. Theobjective of this research is to develop a flexible and valid for measuring the managerial skills of engineers from undergraduate institutions of higher learning tool. Within ten (10) steps, this research proposes to investigate the variables of competence necessary to perform the function of coordinator course, by conducting an extensive literature search as well as list the essential skills through expert analysis, dividing them into dimensions. Data collection was developed with course coordinators of undergraduate acting in federal institutions of higher learning in the state of Goiás, UFG IF Goiás and IFG. To perform the analysis of the reliability of the results we used the "Cronbach Alpha" method, which measures the internal consistency of the construct. To check the construct validity of the cluster analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software, aimed at grouping similar items, yielding clusters of competencies. The "Cronbach Alpha" testing showed evidence of the reliability of information, in most dimensions, with ratios above 0.7. The cluster analysis showed 20 (twenty) groups, however, most of the items that make up clusters are inserted into the same dimensional reality proposed in the literature, confirming that the dimensions of the theoretical framework presented may be used. The procedures for application of the instrument have shown that it can be flexible and applicable, taking into account the specifications and requirements of each institution. course coordinator; competencies; management in teaching; Cronbach's alpha.
O coordenador de curso de graduação possui importância estratégica para a consecução dos objetivos das instituições de ensino superior. Há, contudo, lacuna de conhecimentos científicos relacionados aos comportamentos, competências e atribuições para o exercício da função, assim como há a ausência de ações planejadas para o desenvolvimento de docentes para a gestão. O objetivo desta pesquisa é desenvolver um instrumento flexível e válido para mensurar as competências gerenciais de coordenadores de curso de graduação de instituições de ensino superior. Em 10 (dez) etapas, esta pesquisa propõe a investigação das variáveis de competência necessárias ao desempenho da função de coordenador de curso, por meio da realização de uma ampla pesquisa bibliográfica, bem como elencar as competências essenciais, por meio da análise de especialistas, dividindo-as em dimensões. A coleta de dados foi desenvolvida com coordenadores de curso de graduação atuantes nas instituições federais de ensino superior do Estado de Goiás: UFG, IF Goiano e IFG. Para realizar a análise da confiabilidade dos resultados foi aplicado o método “Alfa de Cronbach”, que mede a consistência interna do constructo. Para verificar a validade do instrumento foi realizada a Análise de Clusters, utilizando o software estatístico SPSS, visando o agrupamento dos itens similares, originando agrupamentos de competências. O teste “Alfa de Cronbach” demonstrou indício da confiabilidade das informações, na maioria das dimensões, com índices acima de 0,7. A Análise de Clusters apresentou 20 (vinte) agrupamentos, contudo, a maior parte dos itens que compõem os agrupamentos está inserida em uma mesma realidade dimensional proposta pela literatura, confirmando que as dimensões apresentadas pelo arcabouço teórico podem ser utilizadas. Os procedimentos para aplicação do instrumento demonstraram que o mesmo pode ser flexível e aplicável, levando-se em consideração as especificações e necessidades de cada instituição.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, 2009.
Title from screen (viewed on August 27, 2009). School of Social Work, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Cathy Pike, Hea-Won Kim, Margaret Adamek, Drew Appleby. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 317-330).

Background: The need for structured practice has in recent years appeared in connection with the request for a more evidence-based nursing. In psychiatric care with its complex disabilities, it is important to have methods to identify these. Research has demonstrated the importance of patient participation in nursing that has been shown to affect their mental health. It is essential to get to know how patients with mental illness are capable of involvement in their life situation. The ICF emerged as a useful theoretical framework for development of questionnaires of patient participation. Aim: The aim of the present pilotstudy was to develop and test a questionnaire for participation, based on ICF. Method: This pilotstudy had a quantitative approach and was based on a draft for the purpose described. For the development process two expertgroups were used, one consisted of nurses with experience of ICF and one by former patients recruited from psychiatric patient organizations to discuss participation and item selection. The final questionnaire was answered by 29 nurses, who also could comment on the content in three open questions used for face validity. Cronbach´s alpha was used to calculate internal consistency. The final goal is to develop a concept of two questionnaires for participation. One that will be answered by nurses and another part based on patients self-assessment. During this pilotstudy, the nurse`s part was focused. Result: The result indicated good internal consistency both in the whole Assessment of Participation in Psychiatric care (APP) (0.900) and for each item (0.892-0.904). We also found indication for good face validity.  The result of this pilot study can be useful for further research and development.

Aim: To investigate the reliability of the COntext Assessment for Community Health (COACH) tool on mobile phone versus pen-paper in Nairobi, Kenya. Background: One of the barriers to the progress of the MDGs has been the failure of health systems in many LMICs to effectively implement evidence-based interventions As a result of the “know-do” gap, patients do not benefit from advances in healthcare and are exposed to unnecessary risks. Better mapping of context improves implementation by allowing tailoring of strategies and interpretation of knowledge translation. COACH investigates healthcare contexts for LMICs and has only been used on pen-paper. With 5 billion mobile phone users globally, mobile technologies is being recognized as able to play a formal role in health services. Methods: Comparative study with 140 nurses/midwives and doctors in four hospitals in Nairobi. 70 were randomly assigned to mobile phone and pen-paper each. The tool was administered twice with a two week interval and test-retest reliability, internal consistency and interrater reliability were assessed. Findings: Excellent test-retest reliability for both pen-paper and mobile phone (ICC >0.81). 45% (pen-paper) and 34% (mobile phone) moderate agreement between individual questions in round 1 and 2. Acceptable average Cronbach’s alpha (>0.70). Conclusion: Both mobile phone and pen-paper were reliable and feasible for data collection. The findings are a good first step towards using COACH in Kenya. Additional research is needed for individual settings. Using mobile phones could increase healthcare facilities’ accessibility in implementation research, helping to close the “know-do” gap and reach the SDGs.

The aim of this study was to conduct an instrument test of the Canadian questionnaire Alberta Context Tool (ACT) version Long-Term care for Swedish conditions. ACT is designed in order to measure the context in the care environment and different behaviours related to the changes in clinical practice. In total, 159 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) within municipality care of the elderly were included in the survey. The test included the instrument's reliability and face validity.The reliability test was implemented through calculation of Cronbach´s Alpha, and showed internal consistency for five of the scales of the ACT-instrument with Cronbach´s Alpha values ranging between 0,728 and 0,873. However, three dimensions got lower values (0,558 - 0,683).The analysis was carried out with content analysis and carried out for LPNs and RNs in separate groups. The majority of LPNs expressed that it was easy to respond to the questions (56%), while nine percent considered it as difficult. Eleven comments were given about questions that were perceived to be unclear, complicated or contained difficult words. In the RN group only 30 percent considered that the questions were easy to respond to. One third of the RNs considered that part of the questions were unclear, and six RNs expressed also which questions they experienced as unclear. In general, the questions in the ACT were perceived as relevant. The instrument's relevance as a tool to measure contextual factors that influence the implementation of evidence based nursing can also be considered to be determined. By modifying the content in the questionnaire in accordance with what appeared in this survey and to implement yet another test, the instrument should be considered to be relevant for use within Swedish municipality care of the elderly. ACT can be used both as a tool in the work on improvement of clinical practice and as a tool for further research about implementation of evidence based nursing.

Over the past months, newspapers and news bulletins are riddled by service delivery protests – to the extent that the President of the country acknowledges these protests. Many reasons were offered for the protests, but the main reason is cited as dissatisfaction with the level of basic services delivered by the municipalities. Questions were asked to obtain possible solutions to the problem. These challenges motivated the researcher to undertake a study to investigate the possible cause of poor delivery of service by municipalities to the communities. A possibility was to study and recommend a possible solution that would ensure that service is delivered on time, at the right price, at the right location and that quantity and quality meet the needs of the community. The system suitable to address this concern is demand management, the first element of the supply chain management system. The purpose of demand management is to ensure that the resources required to fulfil the needs identified during the strategic plan of the municipality, are delivered at the correct time, price and place, and that quantity and quality will satisfy the needs of the users. The research was conducted by means of a literature study and an empirical study. The literature study entails a literature discussion on three variables identified as crucial in achieving the objectives of the study, namely sustainability, demand management and change management. These variables form the basis of the evaluation of the factors which ensure that effectively used demand management results in sustainable service delivery. Delivering sustainable service will ensure that the service is delivered on time, at the right price, at the right location, and quality that meets the needs of the users. These variables were empirically tested in practise by means of a measurement instrument and subsequently evaluated. Based on the evaluation of the empirical study, the demographical data were analysed and concluded on. The reliability and internal consistence of the measurement instrument were determined by means of Cronbach Alpha coefficient. The results of the reliability test revealed that only change management’s Cronbach Alpha coefficient was less than the cut–off value of 0.7. Despite the results of change management’s Cronbach Alpha coefficient, the reliability of the other latent variables was found to be reliable and internally consistent. The variables were analysed and concluded upon by means of a descriptive statistical analysis, using frequency on the questionnaire responds. The arithmetic mean and standard deviation per construct was also calculated, using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The relationship between the variables was also evaluated through determining the effect size and correlation of coefficient being calculated. Practical recommendations were suggested to address the weaknesses found during the evaluation of the questionnaires, in order to improve future continuity of both municipalities used as unit of measure. Recommendations of future research needed, were also made.
Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The usability of a software product is dependent on the end-user and the context of use. Having a user-friendly user interface that is appealing and easy to learn and use is essential for improved human productivity. However, this is not always the case. For instance, the computer-based documentation system Siebel used within the elderly care system; is perceived by most nursing assistants as complicated. The goal here is to evaluate the usability of the system's user interface, applying the usability metrics stated in the ISO/IEC-9126-1 standards to quantify the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction of Siebel’s documentation system. A prototype user interface was developed for comparison with the current system. Likert-scale five-point scale; System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaires were used to measure User satisfaction. The results mirrored that the participants preferred the newly developed prototype user interface to the existing user interface

I denna rapport kommer det jämföras tre modeller inom tre olika metoder som är “Klassisk test teori”, “Itemrespons theory” och “Forward selection” för att undersöka ifall det är möjligt att minska antalet frågor ner tillcirka fyra frågor och ändå kunna prediktera de utfall som erhåller ingen risk i en enkät om spelproblematik medgod säkerhet. För varje metod så kommer det presenteras en modell med två frågor, en modell med fyra frågoroch slutligen en modell med sex frågor samt dess precision på hur väl de kan prediktera de med ingen riskkorrekt. Samtlig modellframtagning använder sig utav en träningsmängd utav datamaterialet och valideringensker på en testmängd, detta för att undvika överanpassning utav modeller. För att dessa metoder skall kunna prestera så bra som möjligt har en del databearbetning utförts så somatt hantera bortfall, extremvärden samt avgränsningar för att samtliga metoder skall fungera. Flera utav modellerna kan prediktera korrekt med över 90% säkerhet och slutgiltligen erhålls en modell inomforward selection metoden som med enbart fyra utav femton frågor kan prediktera 93,5% korrekt.

The goal of this thesis was to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of big data analytics by public sector employees based on the adapted Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. A mixed method of survey and interviews were used to collect data from employees of a Canadian provincial government ministry. The results show that performance expectancy and facilitating conditions have significant positive effects on the adoption intention of big data analytics, while effort expectancy has a significant negative effect on the adoption intention of big data analytics. The result shows that social influence does not have a significant effect on adoption intention. In terms of moderating variables, the results show that gender moderates the effects of effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating condition; data experience moderates the effects of performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating condition; and leadership moderates the effect of social influence. The moderation effects of age on performance expectancy, effort expectancy is significant for only employees in the 40 to 49 age group while the moderation effects of age on social influence is significant for employees that are 40 years and more. Based on the results, implications for public sector organizations planning to implement big data analytics were discussed and suggestions for further research were made. This research contributes to existing studies on the user adoption of big data analytics.

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado.
The objective of this research is to assess the psychometric properties of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in order to contribute to the literature identifying validated resilience measures in low-resource settings where individuals face significant adversity. This cross-sectional study included 789 adolescent mothers who delivered at a maternity hospital in Lima, Peru. The Spanish version of the 10-item CD-RISC was used to measure resilience. Internal consistency and construct validity were assessed by evaluating individual item characteristics as well as the association of CD-RISC score with symptoms of depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to test the factorial structure of the CD-RISC. The CD-RISC was found to have good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.85). CD-RISC scores were positively associated with school attendance, financial hardship, and history of childhood abuse; scores were negatively associated with household dysfunction, depression, anxiety and poor sleep quality. The results of the EFA showed that the CD-RISC contained a two-factor solution, which accounted for 46% of the variance. Overall, these findings suggest that the Spanish-language version of the CD-RISC-10 is an adequate measure of resilience in this population. Further research is needed to incorporate culturally-specific constructs into resilience measures.
National Institutes of Health
Revisión por pares

Magister Commercii (Industrial Psychology) - MCom(IPS)
The present study investigated the relationship between the Sense Of Coherence and Satisfaction With Life amongst the unemployed. The study attempted to test the following hypotheses. 1. People with a high Sense Of Coherence tend to be satisfied with their lives in general. 2. Demographic variables such as age, gender, race and level of education have an influence on the subjects' scores on the Sense Of Coherence and Satisfaction With Life scales. 3. Length of unemployment has an impact on the subjects' Sense Of Coherence and Satisfaction With Life. In this study, subjects were drawn from the Department of Manpower in the Western Cape region. The data were obtained from a sample of 100 participants. Of this 100, 52 were males. Subjects were asked to complete the Sense Of Coherence and the Satisfaction With Life scales. Statistical procedures that were used are Multiple Linear Regression analysis, Product Moment Correlational Co-efficients, Analysis of Variance test (ANOVA) and the Cronbach Alphas of the various scales. It was found that Sense Of Coherence correlated significantly with Satisfaction With Life, thus supporting the first hypothesis. This led to the conclusion that a person with a strong Sense Of Coherence tends to be more satisfied with his/her life. However, a person with a weaker Sense Of Coherence finds it difficult to make sense out of his/her life. It was also found that most of the demographic variables did not reach any statistical significance. The general trend in this sample was that younger people had higher education and had been unemployed for fewer years. In comparison, older people were found to have less education and had been unemployed for more years. It was concluded that formal and informal education system will be necessary to develop and equip both young and older people with the experience and skills to use at work. This study was concluded by the discussion of the implications of the findings and suggestions for future research.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
GREGORY RESEARCH BELIEFS SCALE: FACTOR STRUCTURE AND PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES The study at hand involves developing the Gregory Research Beliefs Scale (GRBS) to reliably and validly measure social work students’ beliefs about the function of research in social work practice. Research has considerable actual and potential benefits for practice. Social work students’ beliefs about this construct are vital. A description of the advantages of using research to inform practice is given. Additionally, the Council on Social Work Education and National Association of Social Workers’ policies that mandate the merger of research and practice are also provided to further justify the need for adequate psychometric evaluation of the construct. Details of the literature search strategy are described and critical evaluations of the empirical articles are conducted. Based on critical evaluations of instruments which have previously measured the same construct, a number of psychometric shortcomings are outlined to validate the need for further scale development of the construct. The present study’s objectives were to develop a scale which has an empirically and theoretically supported factor structure, acceptable coefficient alpha levels, empirically supported discriminant (divergent) validity, concurrent criterion validity, and known–groups criterion validity. Steps for developing the GRBS’s items, response format, sample, research design, and statistical tests are specified and conducted to determine the factor structure and psychometric properties. Finally, the strengths, limitations, and areas for future research are discussed.

The study of outliers and their impact on statistical results is important because outliers are prevalent in real data. Previous research has focused on outlier identification and treatment with no studies having investigated whether outliers have impact on the estimated Cronbach's coefficient alpha. This is an important gap in the research literature because coefficient alpha is the most widely used measurement statistic in all of the social sciences. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether outliers impact the value of coefficient alpha at different amounts of outlier contamination, the distance of the center of the contamination population distribution from the uncontaminated parent population, and standard deviation of the contamination population for varying values of population reliability and sample sizes. The overall results indicate that the estimates of coefficient alpha are not affected by symmetric outlier contamination (i.e., when the means of the contamination and parent distributions are equal), whereas asymmetric outlier contamination artificially inflates the estimates of coefficient alpha. In particular, this upward bias of coefficient alpha estimates and inflation in statistical efficiency (i.e., stability) are greater with increasing asymmetry and proportion of outlier contamination. These effects of outliers on the bias and efficiency of coefficient alpha estimates are reduced for increasing population reliability.
Education, Faculty of
Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of
Graduate

Apesar de existirem alguns instrumentos que avaliem as alterações do estado mental, quando aplicados em contexto naturalista, estes apresentam diversas fragilidades. O objetivo geral desta investigação foi contribuir para a validação de um instrumento de avaliação do estado mental, o Mental State Exam Checklist. O foco desta investigação foi a redução de itens e avaliar a consistência interna, do instrumento, bem como das suas diferentes dimensões. Para avaliar a consistência interna recorreu-se ao Alpha de Cronbach. Os participantes desta investigação foram assistidos num projeto de intervenção na crise psicológica relacionada com o usos de substâncias psicoativas num grande festival de música e cultura psicadélica realizado em Portugal. Os valores do alpha de Cronbach demonstraram que o MSEC se apresenta como um instrumento fidedigno e com valores de validade e consistência interna muito bons. Com a redução de itens de 73 para 44, o MSEC tornou-se menos extenso e de maior facilidade no que toca à aplicabilidade. Concluindo que este estudo terá um impacto bastante significativo na qualidade de tomada de decisão sobre a intervenção em crise, tornando o MSEC uma ferramenta muito importante para uma intervenção em crise eficaz e rigorosa.

The aim of the dissertation is to compare the psychosocial climate of the classes between the 5th and 6th grades of Czech elementary school. In the train of pupils' leaving into the high- tracked schools there are significant organizational changes in the classes of the 6th grade. This theme includes the phenomenon of the early tracking, when some pupils can leave the mainstream of education (elementary school) and start attending the high-tracked schools (multi-year gymnasium). The aim of our study is to contribute to the research, that with the departure of students into high-tracked schools the psychosocial climate in the classes of the 6th grade unequivocally exacerbates. We are also interested in which specific students are accepted into high-tracked schools, and whether they are effective classroom leaders and socio- metric stars. In our study, we also find out the classroom positions of students who are continuously educated in the 5th and 6th grades of the elementary schools and their classmates, who have come as new students into the classes of the 6th grade. In the theoretical section we introduce the foreign and domestic researches which were conducted on the association between tracking and classroom climate. The empirical part inquiries into a detailed analysis of quantitative research...