Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

384

Date

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Psychology

Committee Chair

Danielle S McNamara

Committee Member

Randy G Floyd

Committee Member

Ronald S Landis

Abstract

Several self-report inventories assess specific aspects of writing. However, skilled writing is a multidimensional process requiring a comprehensive measure that assesses writing attitudes, self-efficacy, and strategy use. The Writing Attitudes and Strategies Self-Report Inventory (WASSI) is designed to fulfill this need. Currently in its second iteration, the WASSI-2 displays superior reliability and validity evidence when compared to other measures. The seven subscales all exceeded minimum standards for Cronbach's alpha. Additionally, the underlying factor structure that best represents the data mirrors the intended seven-factor design. Validity evidence based on external relations was yielded from correlating the WASSI-2 scores with the Daly-Miller Writing Apprehension Test, the Children's Social Desirability Scale, and expert scores on student essays; all but one of the correlations were in the expected direction and of appropriate magnitude. This evidence indicates that the WASSI may potentially be a useful assessment tool for educators and researchers.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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