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Factorial validity and invariance of the MUET essay writing rating scale: empirical and theoretical correspondence
Noor Lide Abu Kassim1, Badrasawi, Kamal J.I2, Mohd Sahari Nordin3, Ainol Zubairi4, Ratnawati Mohd Ashraf5.
Purpose – The validity of any performance assessment depends
substantially on the rating scale used in the assessment procedure.
It delineates the theoretical construct being measured and influences
how performances are judged and interpreted. This study examined
the factorial validity and invariance of the rating scale used for
the assessment of the essay writing component of the Malaysian
University English Test (MUET) in terms of the correspondence to
empirical data and the theoretical construct of ESL writing.
Methodology – To determine the factorial validity of the MUET
essay writing rating scale, a measurement model was developed
based on the criteria description of the scale. Model-data fit was
tested using CFA. The data comprised 392 essays, taken from a
university English proficiency examination. Factorial invariance
was tested through consecutively more restrictive models.
Results – A 3-factor structure model was found to produce the best
fit to the data. Factorial invariance was tested by examining the
comparability of the structure and values of parameters within the
model across two groups. A more restrictive model was subsequently
tested, where variances and covariances of the latent constructs
together with factor loadings were constrained to be equal for the
two groups. The resultant goodness-of-fit indices showed a better fit to the data, providing support for the factorial invariance of the
3-factor structure model.
Significance – The results support a 3-factor structure model,
congruent with the theory of ESL writing. However, further
validation needs to be carried out across different ESL populations
to ensure accurate representation and assessment of ESL writing
performance.
Affiliation:
- International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
- International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
- International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
- International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
- International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
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Indexation |
Indexed by |
MyJurnal (2021) |
H-Index
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3 |
Immediacy Index
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0.000 |
Rank |
0 |
Indexed by |
Scopus 2020 |
Impact Factor
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CiteScore (2) |
Rank |
Q1 (Cultural Studies) Q2 (Education) Q3¬¬¬ (Psychology (all)) |
Additional Information |
SJR (0.385) |
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