Measuring General Self-Efficacy A Comparison of Three Measures Using Item Response Theory

• Published in: Educational and psychological measurement Vol. 66; no. 6; pp. 1047 - 1063
• Main Authors: Scherbaum, Charles A., Cohen-Charash, Yochi, Kern, Michael J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Publications 01.12.2006; Sage; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; College Students; Comparative Analysis; Computer Assisted Testing; Construct Validity; Error of Measurement; Factor Structure; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Item Discrimination (Tests); Item Information; Item Parameters; Item Response Theory; Measurement techniques; Measures (Individuals); Modified Parallel Analysis; Motivation; Personality. Affectivity; Psychological tests; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychometrics; Reliability; Responses; Schwarzer Self Efficacy Scale; Self Efficacy; Self image; Standardized tests; Validation studies; general self-efficacy; item response theory; measurement; motivation; Human; Measurement; Motivation; Evaluation scale; Item response theory; Self efficacy; Psychometrics; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0013-1644; 1552-3888
• DOI: 10.1177/0013164406288171

General self-efficacy (GSE), individuals'belief in their ability to perform well in a variety of situations, has been the subject of increasing research attention. However, the psychometric properties (e.g., reliability, validity) associated with the scores on GSE measures have been criticized, which has hindered efforts to further establish the construct of GSE. This study examines the reliability of responses to the items, as well as the item parameters of three GSE measures using item response theory. Contrary to the criticisms, the responses to the items on all three measures of GSE demonstrate acceptable psychometric properties, especially at lower levels of GSE. The results indicate that the New General Self-Efficacy Scale has a slight advantage over the other measures examined in this study in terms of the item discrimination, item information, and relative efficiency of the test information function. Implications for GSE research are discussed.