Scientific journal paper Q1
Professional development short scale: Measurement invariance, stability, and validity in Brazil and Angola
Luciana Mourão (Luciana Mourão); Susana M. Tavares (Tavares, S. M.); Hugo Sandall (Hugo Sandall);
Journal Title
Frontiers in Psychology
Year (definitive publication)
2022
Language
English
Country
Switzerland
More Information
Web of Science®

Times Cited: 1

(Last checked: 2024-11-05 13:15)

View record in Web of Science®


: 0.2
Scopus

Times Cited: 4

(Last checked: 2024-11-02 20:39)

View record in Scopus


: 0.6
Google Scholar

This publication is not indexed in Google Scholar

Abstract
Professional development is the vital process in the workplace that comprises the growth and maturation of knowledge, skills, and attitudes arising from formal and informal learning at work throughout one’s life. The goal of this research was to present validity evidence and accuracy of the Professional Development Short Scale (PDSS) for different occupational categories. The research was conducted using four cross-sectional questionnaire surveys with convenience samples of different occupational categories (N = 2,547) in 41 cities throughout Brazil and Angola. The first study aimed to explore the factorial structure and internal consistency of the PDSS. The second study aimed to evaluate the cross-cultural validity and measurement invariance of the scale. The third study was to assess concurrent validity and predictive validity. The fourth study was to assess the test–retest reliability. The results indicated a one-factor structure, with six items for both countries’ datasets. This research pointed out the validity of the PDSS as regards its convergence-discriminant pattern with the General Self-Efficacy and Job Self-Efficacy Scales, and also, the relationship of the PDSS with relevant constructs (Bases of Power/leadership styles, In-role performance, Job Satisfaction, and Career Promotion). In this study, we provide psychometric validity of the Professional Development Short Scale to offer it as a resource to measure the construct and allow researchers to apply it in research models easily integrated to other constructs. We covered several different incremental approaches to ensure the scale validity. Besides showing temporal stability to ensure it can be applied from time to time, as one dynamic construct should, we also indicated that social desirability did not influence the measurement of the PDSS. Furthermore, the results indicate that the effects of the method do not generate undue confusion on the scale. Thus, the psychometric properties of the PDSS allow for recommending the use of the scale in extensive studies. This scale therefore contributes to contemporary professional development literature through the comparison of the perceptions of professional development in different professional categories and by providing organizational researchers with a tool to evaluate the effects and predictors of such construct.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by Coord. Aperfeiç. Pessoal Nível Super. (Code 001); Fund. Amparo Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Janeiro (E-26/202.913/2018); Cons. Nac. Desenv. Científ. Tecnol. (311162/2021-5); Fundação para Ciência eTecnologia (UIDB/00315/2020)
Keywords
professional development,assessment,psychometric properties,invariance,self-efficacy,in-role performance,job satisfaction,career promotion
  • Psychology - Social Sciences
  • Economics and Business - Social Sciences
Funding Records
Funding Reference Funding Entity
UIDB/00315/2020 Fundação para a Ciência eTecnologia
311162/2021-5 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
E-26/202.913/2018 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Code 001 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

With the objective to increase the research activity directed towards the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the possibility of associating scientific publications with the Sustainable Development Goals is now available in Ciência-IUL. These are the Sustainable Development Goals identified by the author(s) for this publication. For more detailed information on the Sustainable Development Goals, click here.