The Validation of a Morale Measuring Instrument
| Pages | 32-37 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb009654 |
| Date | 01 January 1971 |
| Published date | 01 January 1971 |
| Author | KEVIN R. SMITH |
| Subject Matter | Education |
32 THE JOURNAL OP EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
VOLUME IX, NUMBER 1 MAY. 1971
The Validation of a Morale Measuring
Instrument
KEVIN R. SMITH
A morale questionnaire developed in Australia was subjected in
the U.S.A. to a test of its validity by using a small sample of
schools judged by experts to be of either high or low morale.
Following item analysis, a shorter questionnaire was developed
which discriminated significantly between a sample of schools of
high and low staff morale both in Australia and in the U.S.A.
INTRODUCTION
In so many of the staff morale studies of recent decades the
concept of morale has proved elusive and ambiguous. There has
been a reputed sloppiness in the use of the concept.1 These weak-
nesses have highlighted the need for clearly-delineated definitions
as the basis for future studies.
Current general usage, consistent with the traditional under-
standing of the concept, would appear to accept the understanding
of morale in terms of persistance, enthusiasm, zeal, pride, and
confidence. For the purposes of this study morale was defined as a
healthy and confident state of mind relevant to a shared and vital
organizational purpose. Society has created schools to achieve
certain goals. Morale is a concept that ties organizational dynamics
and climate to goal achievement. Morale is a reflection of how one
feels about things. It is sometimes more a matter of subjective
perception than of objective fact.
A MORALE INSTRUMENT
During earlier investigations a questionnaire had been developed
for the investigation of staff morale in Australian elementary
schools.2 Although this measuring instrument had been used in a
study of morale in one school it had not been subjected to any
MR. KEVIN R. SMITH is Lecturer in Education at the Armidalc Teachers'
College and part-time Lecturer in Educational Administration at the University
of New England. A graduate of the University of New England (B.A., Dip. Ed.
Admin.) and Florida (Ed. S.) he is a member of the Australian College of
Education, Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi.
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