Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes and critiques the article "The Classroom and School Community Inventory: Development, Refinement and Validation of a Self-Report Measure for Educational Research," by A.P. Rovai, M.J. Wighting, M.J., R. Lucking. Despite some weaknesses and oversights, the reviewer believes that overall the article successfully demonstrates the Classroom and School Community Inventory's (CSCI) validity. The article is divided into two parts: Part One which examines validity in the study, and Part Two which examines reliability in the study. The reviewer suggests that the validity of the instrument, the reliability of the CSCI, could be improved though a more diverse and balanced sample. The reviewer concludes, however, that in light of the current findings, the CSCI possesses the fundamentals of a valuable instrument.

From the Paper:

"As the article mentions, the measure is strong in face validity. The statements used in the CSCI questionnaire, presented in the appendices, appear directly related to the stated purpose and seem, "on face value," both efficient and effective. The instrument also scores very high in content validity. The authors ensured that the test reflected the content domain of the construct by utilizing a panel of university faculty with a background in community psychology towards item evaluation. They then further narrowed the field through maximum likelihood factor analysis with direct oblimin rotation, before conducting a final factor analysis that confirmed the factor structure of the instrument as well as the unambiguity of the items (Rovai et al., 2004). The items included in the CSCI thus thoroughly address the issues relevant to school and classroom community. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Heffner, Dr. Christopher L. (2003-2004). Statistics Primer (Revised). Retrieved June 10 2006 from http://allpsych.com/stats/unit2/index.html.
• Neill, James. (2004). Essentials of a Good Psychological Test. Retrieved June 10 2006 from http://www.wilderdom.com/personality/L32EssentialsGoodPsychological-Test.html#Validity.
• Rovai, A.P., Wighting, M.J., & Lucking, R. (2004). The Classroom and School Community Inventory: Development, refinement and validation of a self-report measure for educational research. Internet and Higher Education, 7(2004), 263-280.
• Trochim, William M. (2002). Types of Reliability. Retrieved June 9 2006 from http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/reltypes.htm.

Visitors who viewed this Article Review also liked these:

• Essay # 143767 : "Review Of The Dunciad And Italian Opera In England"
• Analytical Essay # 72684 : "A Review of "The Heart and Soul of Change"
• Book Review # 133341 : "A Review of "The Second Shift"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: