Students’ Perceived Attributes and Benefits of a Leadership Course: Subjective Outcome Evaluation

Abstract

Purpose: Using the client satisfaction approach, this study examined university students’ perceived attributes and benefits of a leadership subject which attempts to promote student well-being. We also studied the psychometric properties of the related evaluation tool. Method: Undergraduate students who enrolled in the course over 6 years (2013/14 to 2018/19) in a university in Hong Kong completed a subjective outcome evaluation tool (N=10,484). Results: The evaluation tool possesses acceptable convergent validity, concurrent validity, and factorial validity. Students showed positive perceptions of the course, instructors, and benefits of the course. Conclusion: Findings suggest that university students had favorable perceptions of this credit-bearing leadership development subject based on the positive youth development approach. This subject serves as a good prototype for teachers, social workers, and allied professionals to develop and evaluate similar programs targeting university students. Social workers and teachers can also use the validated tool in research and evaluation contexts.