Validity Evidence for Using the Children's New Ecological Paradigm Scale With High School Students

• In Event: 28.039 - Investigating Validity and Validation of Assessments

Abstract

This study evaluates the use of the children’s version of the New Ecological Paradigms scale with Grades 8–12 students. The instrument was originally developed for Grades 5–7 children and was presented as valuable for research comparing that age group with older participants. The present study uses cognitive interviews and scalar invariance testing to investigate the response-process and internal-structure evidences of the validity of this intended score interpretation. The factor structure supported the original study but the results for the two inquiries were consistent in finding two items that threaten the validity of comparisons between young and old children. This findings have implications for programs seeking to use this instrument for making claims about students’ ecological awareness.

Author

• George M. Harrison, University of Hawaii at Manoa