The Scale Structure of Multi-Scale Measures: Application of the Split-Scale Method to the Task- Specific Occupational Self-Efficacy Scale and the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale

Abstract

The present study evaluated the internal structure of two translated multiple-scale questionnaires: the Task-Specific Occupational Self-Efficacy Scale (TSOSS; Osipow, Temple, & Rooney, 1993) and the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (CDMSE; Taylor & Betz, 1983). Data were obtained during a pilot study for testing the Hebrew versions of the TSOSS and the CDMSE. Cluster analysis applied to the split scales was found to complement the traditional method used to assess the psychometric properties of the instruments. As proposed by its authors, the TSOSS was found to possess four distinct scales in both language versions. The elimination of problematic items from the Hebrew version revealed the five hypothesized factors assumed to underlie the CDMSE. The proposed clustering analysis of the split scales appears to have potential application to the refinement process of other multi-scale instruments as well.

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