CONSTRUCT VALIDATION OF A STAFF MORALE QUESTIONNAIRE
| Pages | 90-97 |
| Published date | 01 February 1975 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb009737 |
| Date | 01 February 1975 |
| Author | K.W. WILLIAMS,T.J. LANE |
| Subject Matter | Education |
THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
VOLUME XIII, NUMBER 2 OCTOBER, 1975
CONSTRUCT VALIDATION OF A STAFF MORALE
QUESTIONNAIRE
K.W. WILLIAMS AND T.J. LANE
This paper reports on the construct
validity
of
an
instrument initially developed to measure
file dimensions of morale among Australian teachers. Using factor analysis, the authors
confirm earlier findings that this instrument (the Staff Morale Questionnaire) taps only
three dimensions—cohesive pride, leadership synergy, and personal challenge. The dimen-
sional structure appears also to be stable across different samples of teachers.
INTRODUCTION
Morale is a chameleon-like concept. Many a researcher1 claims to have
grasped it, to have defined it so that it is readily recognizable; but it proves
itself ever elusive, persistently merging into and refusing to be seen as
separate from the environment in which it lives.
Despite its elusiveness, at least one conclusion may be drawn with
respect to its conceptualization. Among others, Halpin states that conclu-
sion as follows:
...whatever it is, morale is not a uni-dimensional concept. It has more than a
single component, and each component can be defined best only in respect to
the operations by which it is measured. High morale in respect to one compo-
nent does not guarantee high morale in respect to another.2
Research on morale ought therefore be guided by this conclusion, for
only the determination of both the nature and extent of morale's dimen-
sionality will lead to a relatively clear understanding of the concept
itself.
This paper reports on one attempt to further that understanding.
MORALE AND THE S.M.Q.
In 1964 Kevin R. Smith developed his Staff Morale Questionnaire (the
S.M.Q.)
for use in primary schools in Australia. The instrument consisted
originally of fifty questions partly compiled from items in 'Kescits', the
Ohio Rating Scale, Gillam's Questionnaire, USAF Questionnaire,
Walker's Civil Service Questionnaire, and the Sociometric Measures
devised by Cattell and Stice.3
SISTER KATHLEEN WILLIAMS, a graduate of the University of New England (B.A.,
M.Ed. Admin.), is currently a Provincial Councillor of the Sisters of Mercy, Bathurst,
N.S.W. She is also Head of the Humanities Department and a member of
the
executive team
administrating Red Band Catholic College, Forbes. TERRY LANE is Lecturer with the
University of New England's Centre for Administrative Studies, having graduated B.Ed.,
M.A., from the University of British Columbia
To continue reading
Request your trial