confirmatory factor analysis

The concept of teacher change is critical in second language teaching and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context due largely to the fact that, almost, whatever we do in teacher education looks for initiating change of one sort or another. A substantial body of research has been dedicated to investigate teacher change (TC) from various perspectives. However, having studied the related literature, we found no robust, valid and reliable measure for TC in EFL context. Accordingly, effort was made to develop and validate a reliable and valid measure that could assess TC in an EFL context. The review of the prior research resulted in the collection of 186 items affecting TC out of which a temporary data driven model of teacher change was developed. 324 Ph.D. and M.A. graduated EFL teachers took part in exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the initial measure. Finally, a 66-item scale consisting of three components and thirteen sub-components was developed.The results showed both factorial validity andinternal consistency reliability for the measure.The TCSsubscales also had strong validity evidence based on the associationsfound. This study has various applications for language teachers and practitioners in the field.

Teacher Evaluation (TE) is a critical and controversial process in the teaching profession and formal education system. Effective TE requires both sound policy implementation and efficient processes, affecting the efficiency of the education system. To present a framework for research and highlight the constructs of TE, this study developed and validated a teacher evaluation questionnaire. To this end, seven TE components were identified after undertaking a comprehensive review of the literature and conducting interviews with domain experts on TE. Then a draft version of the TE questionnaire, consisting of 105 items, was pilot tested with 330 teacher evaluators, who were working for various English language institutes in Iran. The results, using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), led to a 90-item questionnaire with strong estimates of reliability and validity. The results also demonstrated that the questionnaire consisted of a six-factor structure of perception, method, system, content, purpose, and outcome of TE. The subsequent Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) of the data from another 360 Iranian teacher evaluators, selected through convenience sampling, indicated that the six-factor structure of the questionnaire was statistically supported, meaning that the questionnaire’s detected constructs were not the result of random variance in the participants’ responses. The results of the study have presented a framework for research and highlighted the principles of teacher evaluation.

The aim of this study is to develop a conceptual model for purchase intention of foreign food products in the Iranian context. Based on an in-depth review of past literature, the sub-factors related to customer’s purchase intention were extracted. Then, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were applied to identify and confirm the factors affecting purchase intention of foreign food products. The obtained results illustrate the thirteen factors as follows: “corporate social responsibility”, “customer knowledge and awareness”, “perceived risk”, “retailer’s commercial image”, “customer’s personality characteristics”, “social identity”, “product features”, “attitude”, “country-of origin”, “perceived value”, “subjective norm”, “loyalty”, and “perceived behavioral control”. The proposed model could contribute to international food companies and retailers to understand customers’ expectations and to gain more market share in Iran. Designing a conceptual model for purchase intention of foreign food products in Iran based on a comprehensive set of the effective factors, developing the theoretical literature in the field of the factors affecting customer’s purchase intention, and presenting valuable results for academicians, marketing managers, and retailers.

The transformational approach (Freire, 1998) can be achieved through critical pedagogy. The present study describes the development and validation of a questionnaire to access critical pedagogy for evaluating teachers’ perceptions of critical pedagogy in two different contexts i.e. public and private schools. This study used a mixed-method design. In the qualitative phase, 15 experienced high school teachers from public and private schools in Sabzevar, Iran, participated in a semi-structured interview. Based on the result of the constructivist grounded work and the literature review, the main constructs of critical pedagogy were described. Then, an eight-construct operationalization of language teaching was presented, describing the fundamental principles of language teaching from the point of view of critical pedagogy. In the quantitative phase, 180 valid questionnaires, obtained from 59 males and 121 females, were used to run the Confirmatory Factor Analysis using the software LISREL 8.5. This resulted in a 70-item, five-point Likert-scale instrument with satisfactory construct validity which was based on the 21 constructs of critical pedagogy. As a validated measurement, the Critical Pedagogy Questionnaire can be highly useful for the researchers and designers in the field of ELT, English teachers, and instructors to evaluate the perception of their learners on critical pedagogy.

Many factors may be involved in determining why some students are more and some are less proficient in language. This study tried to explore the factors affecting Iranian EFL learners’ proficiency. 221 students at second, third and fourth year of university, including 50 male and 171 female were selected randomly to participate in the study. A researcher-made questionnaire and a proficiency test comprised the data collection instruments. The researchers were able to identify three factors affecting language proficiency. They were classified as social factors, cultural factors and linguistic factors, Then a model was developed to represent the relationship among these factors and language proficiency. In line with Bourdieu’s (1986), the results of data analysis indicated that social factors are among the most dominant factors affecting the learners’ language proficincy.

Although Task-Based Instruction (TBI) has received large attention on the part of English practitioners throughout the world, it seems that there is yet a huge gap between the Iranian EFL teachers’ perceptions and practices in implementing it in real classes. Hence, this study set out to unearth the possible sources of difficulties in using TBI in EFL classes. To meet the goals, a total of 120 male and female EFL teachers were selected through stratified random sampling from Iran language institute (ILI) branches in Tehran, Iran. After critically reviewing the literature and using a flow chart technique, a questionnaire including 20 items was developed, piloted, and distributed among the participants. Then, the collected data were analyzed through the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Results indicated that three main factors, namely lack of appropriate assessment methods , cultural difference , and efficacy of the method received the utmost significance from the EFL teachers’ perspectives that have led to not using TBI. In the end, the implications of the findings were discussed for different stakeholders.

In order to engage students in higher-level thinking, cognitive activation (CA) strategies have been advanced and utilized in mathematics. CA develops when learners are challenged, confronted with conflicts, asked to think and explain clearly on their learning, and realize connections between new and previous content. Extending the theme to English language teaching (ELT), this study investigated Iranian English language teachers’ knowledge and practice of cognitive activation writing strategies (CAWS). In so doing, a model was proposed based on a questionnaire that was developed and validated in the present study. Through this scale, knowledge and practice of CAWS by 213 English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers were explored. During a pilot phase, the reliability of the questionnaire was calculated to be .78 for the knowledge section and .81 for the practice section. Two items in each section were removed after conducting exploratory factor analysis. Ultimately, the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the proposed model was fit for the data. Five components were confirmed as constituents of CAWS for the knowledge section, and four components were identified for the practice section. The findings revealed that Iranian EFL teachers were already familiar with the CAWS and purportedly practiced them in their writing classes. Using the scale in the process of writing instruction can provide ELT practitioners with a helpful platform for relating to CA strategies and empowers learners to accomplish tasks such as problem-solving in their writing assignments, similar to what is practiced in mathematics.

The Online Interaction Learning Model was founded on constructivist learning theory. It is an input-process-output model based on moderating variables, the inputs, which includes all of the characteristics of the courses, the instructors, EFL learners, and the technology. Due to the fact that the studies considering the pivotal role of the Online Interaction Learning Model are scarce in number, this study was conducted to validate a newly-designed questionnaire via exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Two hundred fifty-nine Iranian university and higher education institutes EFL learners were asked to participate. The newly-developed questionnaire consisted of 35 items measuring the five constructs of the Online Interaction Learning Model (Course materials, Instructor performance, Learning practices, Student-to-student interaction, and Access to technology). The results from EFA, CFA, and reliability analyses revealed that the new questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument measuring Online Interaction Learning Model. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between each component of the Online Interaction Learning Model and EFL learners’ GPA as well as between the total Online Interaction Learning Model and student academic achievement. Male and female EFL learners’ scores on the online interaction learning model were quite different from each other.

Introduction: One of the basic human needs that plays a vital role in sustainable development is mental health. In the digital age, Internet addiction is a threat to mental health. So this study aimed at validating the treatment entry questionnaire for Tehran University students in 2019. Method: Participants were 324 undergraduate and postgraduate students of state universities in Tehran, who were selected through one-step cluster random sampling. All participants completed the Urbanoski and Wild’s (2012) Treatment Entry Questionnaire, the Miler and Tonigan (1996) Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale, and the Young Internet Addiction Questionnaire. Results: Data were analyzed using the confirmatory factor analysis model. Confirmatory factor analysis of the data showed that the three-factor structure of the identified, intrinsic, and extrinsic treatment motivation has a good fit, and the validity of the scale was confirmed by face and content validity. Convergent validity evidence confirmed the positive relationship between identified, intrinsic, and extrinsic treatment motivation with subscales of recognition, taking the step, and ambivalence of the Readiness for Change and Treatment Motivation scale. Cronbach's alpha test was used to assess the reliability of the whole scale (0.95) and each subscale of identified motivation (0.94), intrinsic motivation (0.89), and extrinsic motivation (0.86). Conclusion: The results showed that the Persian version of the treatment entry scale for the student population has acceptable psychometric properties and can be used as a valid tool in psychological research.

While the bulk of literature repletes with studies on emotional intelligence and its effect on teachers' performance and students' academic achievement, few have been released as to the potency of the factors that can foster emotional intelligence inside classrooms. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the extent to which spiritual intelligence could be a predictor of emotional intelligence. The data were collected through a merger of the Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale (BEIS-10) and Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI).  The evolved 34-item questionnaire was translated into Persian to ensure maximum comprehension of participants. The sample of this study consisted of 847 undergraduate Iranian EFL learners from two provinces in Iran. Three phases were in this study. First, an exploratory factor analysis of SISRI-24 was performed. Second, confirmatory factor analysis of both inventories, individually, was done by IBM SPSS AMOS. This was followed by CFA of the 34-item questionnaire. Last, multiple regression analysis was modeled to find the predictive relationships. The results of PCA revealed a three-factor model of SISRI (18 statements). CFA also verified both inventories under investigation. The model fit estimated of the 34-item questionnaire was sufficiently adequate to approve the model. Multiple regression analysis also indicated that critical existential thinking could predict both appraisal and regulation of own emotions as well as utilization of emotions. Likewise, conscious state expansion could predict the utilization of emotions. It was also found that personal meaning production could predict the appraisal of other emotions. 

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, the community-oriented approach has been proposed as one of the approaches used in crisis management. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors affecting community-oriented crisis management in Iran. METHODS: Initially, the subject of the study was defined and initial exploratory and library studies were conducted. Subsequently, the relevant factors and components were identified through the Delphi method and a researcher-made questionnaire and were then provided to the experts to give their opinions. These factors and components underwent analysis by statistical methods after that the qualitative and quantitative corrective opinions of the experts were received. Finally, the experts' consensus was reached regarding the appropriateness of the model, components, and the combination of factors. The study population in this section consisted of 28 academics and professionals familiar with the subject selected using a judgmental sampling method. Subsequently, to test the model, a researcher-made questionnaire was distributed among 353 selected individuals of the local community of South Khorasan Province, Iran, who were selected by random clustering method. The collected data in this section were analyzed in Smart PLS software (version 3) using confirmatory factor analysis. FINDINGS: The research findings included the validation of the model through the Delphi method and the test of the final model through confirmatory factor analysis. CONCLUSION: The results showed that four categories of preventive, preparatory, confronting, and reconstructive factors were effective on community-oriented crisis management, among which, preparatory factors with an impact factor of 33.5 had the greatest impact on community-oriented crisis management.

The purpose of this article is to measurement and testing a high performance organizational culture model in Iran's petrochemical industries.This research is of quantitative type and in terms of purpose, exploratory and data collection method is survey and from the point of view of cross-sectional time. Data collection tool is a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity has been confirmed by industrial and academic elites. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha test (coefficient of 0.815). The statistical population of the study included 8050 employees of Petropars, Jam, Lavan and Fanavaran petrochemical companies working in Iranian Petrochemical Industries. The sample size was calculated by the Cochran's formula of 385 people. 420 questionnaires were distributed and 400 correct questionnaires were collected. The sampling method is stratified random. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling using Amos Software. The results of statistical analysis were confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis and in terms of significance by the method of structural equations up to the level of the main categories and after confirmation of formal and content from 400 experts and managers of petrochemical industries. In the next step with a quantitative approach, the current state of high performance organizational culture according to the pattern the extract was assayed. For this purpose, mean comparison, regression and repetition tests used. The results obtained from field survey indicated that the high-performance organizational culture model was approved and dimensions of Behavioral factors, Internal bedding factors, External bedding factors and Process factors were placed in the first to fourth priorities, respectively.

Organizational DNA expresses a method of investigation, thinking, reflection and thought about organizations, which examines the patterns of organizations, management practices, leadership style and other concepts related to the organization. Organizational DNA uses very diverse approaches to understand and recognize the organization, instead of organizational models and forms, by examining issues such as teamwork, decision-making, and development and improvement of human resources as separate or at least independent variables. In this research, by using the theoretical framework and using quantitative and qualitative methods, it has been done to identify the dominant DNA in Tocafulad Holding companies and determine the relationship model of hidden components using covariance analysis. The statistical population includes 435 employees of Isfahan Tokafulad companies and 6 company experts who used a mixed or mixed design to conduct the research. The technique of structural equations has been used to improve the model and evaluate the components and indicators to check and identify the model. In order to answer the research question, the steps are: 1) presentation of the conceptual model of the relationship between the corporate DNA and the investigated components, 2) quantitative evaluation of the components and indicators of the model, 3) determining the mutual influence of the hidden variables and the obvious variables of the model and 4) the relationship Between the apparent variables of the components with each other and the verification of the initial conceptual model has been carried out and then the model has been improved and finally the dominant DNA has been determined. The research showed that semantic DNA with a factor load of 0.93 is the dominant DNA in 4 out of 6 companies under investigation. It was also found that planning and payment system are the least important and change processes are the most important in line with the improvement model. In the improved model based on covariance analysis, the mutual effects of payment system and planning with mission, leadership style with teamwork, performance management with decision-making, interpersonal relations with change processes and change processes with work group should be considered.

Adaptive teaching addresses students’ diversity and their immediate learning needs. Particularly, in the high-interactive context of English teaching, fostering adaptive teaching in teacher professional development programs not only stimulates teacher change at the micro level, but also facilitates implementing the organizational and curricular innovations imposed by authorities at the macro level. The current English teaching literature lacks a measure for evaluating and fostering adaptive teaching within higher education. Hence, within the present study, the Interconnected Model of Teacher Professional Growth (IMTPG) was adapted and validated as a measure for evaluating and fostering teacher adaptability for 183 international English teachers in higher education. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was employed for validating two different enactment and reflection links in the original IMTPG, and the final adapted IMTPG for adaptive teaching (At-IMTPG) was proposed. The AT-IMTPG can be applied for evaluating how adaptive English teachers are, seeking to resolve the problem of implementing educational innovations by English teachers in higher education. It can also be used to design teacher professional growth programs for fostering adaptive teaching within English teaching higher education. Such a change in the classroom level is hoped to be translated into an educational change in English teaching higher education.

Second language (L2) researchers often rely on quantitative methods and measurement instruments like questionnaires and scales to explore latent constructs. They usually borrow sophisticated statistical techniques from disciplines like psychology and education to conduct quantitative analyses in L2 research. However, there are growing concerns about the inappropriate use and reporting practices of such statistical procedures like exploratory factor analysis (EFA). This study aimed to describe and evaluate the methodological issues in EFA research practices, examine the relationship between study features and outcomes, and improve future L2 research practices. This study presented the results of a methodological synthesis study on exploratory factor analysis use published in five universally reputable psychology-related journals since 2000. Specifically, the researchers identified 93 EFA studies and developed a coding scheme of key EFA considerations to analyze how EFA was used and reported in these articles. The article discussed the several results and provides essential recommendations for L2 researchers intending to employ EFA in their works.