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Document Type (Journals)

Original Research

Abstract

Shortening measurement scales can improve the scales’ feasibility, but at the same time, their measurement properties can be affected. This study investigated psychometric properties of the short Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) among occupational therapy students in the United States. The students (n = 120) completed the ASSIST and provided basic socio-demographic and education-related information. Scale structure was examined with Principal Components Analysis (PCA), while consistency between scale items was assessed with Cronbach’s α and inter-item correlations. Three factors were confirmed, but three items showed poor or ambiguous fit with the proposed scales. These items were subsequently removed from the scales, resulting in improved fit with the expected three-factor solution. Cronbach’s α for the amended scales ranged from 0.55-0.70 (mean inter-item correlation 0.20-0.34). In conclusion, the amended short ASSIST scales showed satisfactory psychometric properties for assessing study approaches in the sample. Given the variability in psychometric properties found for the short ASSIST scales across studies, the properties of the instrument should preferably be checked before using the scales with new populations.

Biography

Tore Bonsaksen, MSc has clinical background from occupational therapy in mental health practice. Currently he teaches at undergraduate and masters-level occupational therapy programs in Oslo and Sandnes, Norway. He is involved in a number of research projects related to health, health services and education within the health professions.

Adele Breen-Franklin, PhD has worked as a school based occupational therapist, and was the coordinator of the Philadelphia Services and Healthcare project. The project developed and implemented a grant-funded occupational therapy based transitional healthcare program for female inmates with psychiatric disorders at a correctional facility in Philadelphia, PA. She currently teaches masters and doctoral-level occupational therapy students. Her research interests include the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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