Reliability,Construct Validity,and Response- Set Bias of the Revised Learning-Style Inventory (LSI-1985)

Abstract

This research investigated the internal consistency and construct validity of the revised Learning-Style Inventory (LSI-1985). In particular, the study examined the possibility of a response-set bias based on the single-scale-per-column format of the instrument. Order effects were considered as well. To study the possible response set, two versions of the instrument were administered: (a) the standard LSI-1985 and (b) a scrambled version. Estimates of scale consistency were less in the scrambled version suggesting the presence of a response set for the standard LSI-1985. Factor analyses failed to support the construct validity of the revised instrument and also seemed to indicate the presence of a response set. In addition, completing the LSI after the administration of a second instrument seemed to affect the reliabilities of some scales. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of the psychometric properties and underlying assumptions of the LSI-1985.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Atkinson, G., Jr. (1988). Reliability of the Learning Style Inventory-1985. Psychological Reports, 62, 755-758.

Carmines, E. G. and Zeller, R. A. (1979). Reliability and validity assessment. Sage University Paper Series on Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences, series #07-017, Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

Cattell, R. B. (1966). The meaning and strategic use of factor analysis. In R. B. Cattell (Ed.), Handbook of experimental psychology. Chicago: Rand McNally.

Certo, S. C. and Lamb, S. W. (1980). An investigation of bias within the Learning Styles Inventory through factor analysis. Journal of Experiential Learning and Simulation, 2, 1-7.

Freedman, R. D. and Stumpf, S. A. (1978). What can one learn from the Learning Style Inventory? Academy of Management Journal, 21, 275-282.

Freedman, R. D. and Stumpf, S. A. (1980). Learning Style Inventory: Less than meets the eye. Academy of Management Review, 5, 445-447.

Kolb, D. A. (1974). Management and the learning process. In D. A. Kolb, I. M. Rubin, and J. M. McIntyre, Organizational psychology: A book of readings, (pp. 27-42), Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Kolb, D. A. (1976). Management and the learning process. California Management Review, 18, 21-31.

Kolb, D. A. (1985). Learning Style Inventory: Technical manual. Boston: McBer and Co.

10.

Kolb, D. A. , Rubin, I. M. , and McIntyre, J. M. (1974). Organizational psychology: An experiential approach, (2nd ed.), Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

11.

Merritt, S. L. and Marshall, J. C. (1984). Reliability and construct validity of ipsative and normative forms of the Learning Style Inventory. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 44, 463-472.

12.

Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill.

13.

Rummel, R. J. (1970). Applied factor analysis. Evanston, IL.: Northwestern University Press.

14.

Sims, R. R. , Veres, J. G., III , and Shake, L. G. (1989). An exploratory examination of the convergence between the Learning Styles Questionnaire and the Learning Style Inventory II. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 49, 227-233.

15.

Sims, R. R. , Veres, J. G., III , Watson, P. , and Buckner, K. E. (1986). The reliability and classification stability of the Learning Style Inventory. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 46, 753-760.

16.

Smith, D. and Kolb, D. A. (1986). User's guide for the Learning Style Inventory. Boston: McBer and Company.

17.

Veres, J. G., III , Sims, R. R. , and Shake, L. G. (1987). The reliability and classification stability of the Learning Style Inventory in corporate settings. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 47, 1127-1133.