An evaluation of selected psychometric characteristics of the ethical judgment scale

The purpose of this study was to evaluate selected psychometric characteristics of the Ethical Judgment Scale (EJS). Specifically, to determine (a) content validity, (b) internal consistency reliability, (c) correlations of the Likert-type, stage 5, and panel scoring methods; and, assess (d) the relationship of certain demographic factors of community college counselors and EJS scores. A survey research design, employing the EJS with modified instructions, requested an actual and ideal response for each of 25 hypothetical incidents that represented various ethical dilemmas in the counseling field. Ninety-one community college counselors in the state of Virginia participated in the final study. A nonrespondent survey also was completed. The results suggested that content validity of the EJS was supported by expert ratings of the hypothetical incidents; however, an evaluation of the response choices indicated that 20 of the incidents had at least two inappropriate response options. An examination of internal consistency reliability of the EJS, using Cronbach’s <b>alpha </b> and KR-20 statistical procedures, indicated unsatisfactory to lower than desirable correlations for the three scoring methods employed in this study. Similarly poor correlations were obtained for the relationships of the scoring methods. Scale discrepancies and the unreliable scoring methods prevented firm conclusions regarding the association of EJS scores and selected demographic characteristics of the study sample. Findings of the study suggested that a lack of confidence with the measurement instrument may be justified. Suggestions for further research were offered and included the further evaluation and possible revision of the scale.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Counseling and Student Personnel Services

Department dc:contributor.department

Counseling and Student Personnel Services

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1986

Author dc:creator

• Doromal, Quintin S.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Creamer, Don G.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Fortune, Jimmie C.
• Michaels, James W.
• Ostroth, D. David
• Talbutt, Lou C.
• Vogler, Daniel E.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/50008

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/50008