J Educ Eval Health Prof.  2014;11:22. 10.3352/jeehp.2014.11.22.

Learning Style Scales: a valid and reliable questionnaire

• Abdollahimohammad A
• Ja'afar R

• KMID: 2380941
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2014.11.22

Abstract

PURPOSE
Learning-style instruments assist students in developing their own learning strategies and outcomes, in eliminating learning barriers, and in acknowledging peer diversity. Only a few psychometrically validated learning-style instruments are available. This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable learning-style instrument for nursing students.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in two nursing schools in two countries. A purposive sample of 156 undergraduate nursing students participated in the study. Face and content validity was obtained from an expert panel. The LSS construct was established using principal axis factoring (PAF) with oblimin rotation, a scree plot test, and parallel analysis (PA). The reliability of LSS was tested using Cronbach's alpha, corrected item-total correlation, and test-retest.
RESULTS
Factor analysis revealed five components, confirmed by PA and a relatively clear curve on the scree plot. Component strength and interpretability were also confirmed. The factors were labeled as perceptive, solitary, analytic, competitive, and imaginative learning styles. Cronbach's alpha was >0.70 for all subscales in both study populations. The corrected item-total correlations were >0.30 for the items in each component.
CONCLUSION
The LSS is a valid and reliable inventory for evaluating learning style preferences in nursing students in various multicultural environments.

Keyword

Inventory; Learning style; Nursing students; Reliability; Validity

MeSH Terms

Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Learning*
Schools, Nursing
Students, Nursing
Weights and Measures*
Surveys and Questionnaires

Figure

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  Figure 1. The scree plot for the 22 items of the Learning Style Scale.

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