ERIC Number: EJ1055033
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0307-5079
EISSN: N/A
The Development and Validation of an Instrument to Measure Conditions for Social Engagement of Students in Higher Education
van den Wijngaard, Oscar; Beausaert, Simon; Segers, Mien; Gijselaers, Wim
Studies in Higher Education, v40 n4 p704-720 2015
The present article analyzes social engagement as an outcome of higher education. It can be conceived as an attitude that by definition only manifests itself over time, and should therefore not be assessed or measured during the years of study or at graduation. The argument is being made that social engagement should be understood in terms of conditions for social engagement. Based on a conceptual framework three such conditions are being proposed: an interest in social and political issues, self-efficacy, and a positive disposition towards applied skills and knowledge. The present study consists of the design and validation of a tool for measuring these conditions. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, performed on two consecutive samples of freshmen college students, resulted in the Conditions for Social Engagement Questionnaire, which measures conditions for social engagement along four scales: Political Interest, Social Analysis, Valuing Application and Self-efficacy.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Measures (Individuals), Interpersonal Relationship, Social Behavior, Factor Analysis, College Freshmen, Questionnaires, Institutional Mission, Self Efficacy, Political Influences, Student Development, Citizen Participation, Citizenship Education, Language of Instruction
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A