Assessment, Statistics, and Research

  Assessment name:   Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) Scale overview: The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) assesses the frequency of mindful states. Authors: Kirk Brown and Richard Ryan Response Type: A 6—choice rating scale of frequency. 1 = Almost Always, 2 = Very Frequently, 3 = Somewhat Frequently, 4 = Somewhat Infrequently, 5 = Very Infrequently, 6 = Almost Never Scale items- examples I could be experiencing some emotion and not be conscious of it until some time later. I tend not to notice feelings of physical tension or discomfort until they really grab my attention.   Psychometric properties Brown and Ryan (2003) reported details for the measure in their article. For each item, the authors reported the mean, SD, factor loading and interitem correlation. Student sample Alpha = .82. Adult sample alpha = .87. In an independent   student sample, test-retest stability over 4-weeks = .81. There were no significant differences in scores betwee

  Assessment name:  STUDENT SELF-EFFICACY SCALE * Note. This post has been updated to provide an available measure of student self-efficacy. ———- Scale overview:  The  student self-efficacy scale i s a 10-item measure of self-efficacy. It was developed using data from university nursing students in the United States. Authors: Melodie Rowbotham and Gerdamarie Schmitz Response Type:  A four-choice rating scale as follows: 1 = not at all true 2 = hardly true 3 = moderately true 4 = exactly true   Self-efficacy is the perception that a person can act in a way to achieve a desired goal.  Scale items There are 10 items. Examples: I am confident in my ability to learn, even if I am having a bad day. If I try hard enough, I can obtain the academic goals I desire.   Psychometric properties The authors reported that their sample scores ranged from 25 to 40 with a scale mean of 34.23 ( SD  = 3.80. Internal consistency was high at alpha = .84. The authors reported the results of a principal compon

  The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two previous numbers. The sequence starts with 0 and 1, and then continues with 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on. The number of leaves on a plant or the number of branches on a tree will often follow the Fibonacci sequence. Robert G. Sacco (2013) developed the Fibonacci Life Chart Method (FLCM) and applied it to Erikson’s eight developmental stages (1982). Sacco presented a revised age-stage chart. Following is a quote from Sacco’s discussion (p. 143). The results of this study provide support for the assumption of an eight-stage theory of development. The FLCM serves several useful functions. These include: (a) substantially improving understanding of the eight developmental life stages proposed by Erikson, and (b) the use of it as a tool for timing of interventions.     References Erikson, E. H. (1982). The life cycle completed . New York: Norton. Sacco, R. G. (2013). Re-envisaging the eig

  Citing and Referencing ChatGPT in APA Style I have used ChatGPT recently to explore psychological concepts. The quality of responses varies. I also asked  ChatGPT   for APA style references. The format was fine, but I was unable to verify some of the references, which caused me some concern about the accuracy of the generated text. I looked at the APA guidelines for referencing ChatGPT (McAdoo, 2023). One concern I have about the APA guideline is the sharing of authorship. That is, although ChatGPT generated the response, the response involved my collaboration in formulating a precise prompt. The better the prompt, the better the response as if two humans were writing a paper together. An Example When I entered the prompt “How do psychologists define forgiveness? ” ChatGPT provided the response below. Psychologists define forgiveness as a conscious and deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance towards a person or group who has harmed you, despite th

  Assessment name:   Religious Life Inventory- Revised (RLI-R) Scale overview: The Religious Life Inventory-Revised (RLI-R) is a 24-item revision of the original  Religious Life Inventory (RLI). The Religious Life Inventory (RLI) was based on a history of research into the multidimensional construct of religious orientation. Batson and Schoenrade (1991a, 1991b) drew upon the work of Allport and Ross (1967) when creating the RLI. The original RLI had 78-items, which were rated on a 9-point scale of agreement. The RLI was revised by Hills and others (2005a). NOTE: This post focuses on the Revised Religious Life Inventory. Authors: Original: Batson and Schoenrade / Revised : Hills, Francis & Robbins Response Type: The items assess religious orientation on a 9-point scale of agreement.   1 = Strongly Agree, 9 = Strongly Disagree Scale items The three subscales with examples follow.   Extrinsic scale (7 items) The primary purpose of prayer is to gain relief and prote

  Assessment name:   New Indices of Religious Orientation (NIRO) Scale overview: The New Indices of Religious Orientation (NIRO) is a self-report rating scale of intrinsic, extrinsic, and quest religious orientations developed for use with adults. Authors: L. J. Francis, 2007 Response Type: The items are rated on a five-point scale of agreement (agree strongly, agree , not certain , disagree, and disagree strongly). Scale items: There are a 27-item and an 18-item formats. There are three orientations in the NIRO and each has subdomains.   1. Extrinsic orientation     Compartmentalization     Social Support     Personal Support   2. Intrinsic Orientation     Integration     Public Religion     Personal Religion   3. Quest Orientation     Existentialism     Self-Criticism     Openness to Change Psychometric properties The internal consistency values were good, and the three subscales were supported by factor analysis. Both the long and short form items are available in the