Testing the Multidimensionality in Teacher Interpersonal Behavior: Validating the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction Using the Rasch Measurement Model

摘要

This study investigated the perceptions of 1235 students of their form teachers' interpersonal behaviors across 40 classrooms in 24 Singaporean secondary schools. The 32-item Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI) survey was administered to obtain the initial quantitative data of teacher behaviors perceived by the students in these classrooms. The eight scales of QTI are: Leadership, Helping/Friendly, Understanding, Student Responsibility/ Freedom, Uncertain, Dissatisfied, Admonishing, and Strict. The Rasch measurement model was used to estimate students' traits with respect to each subscale, and then to examine its proposed multidimensional structure. Findings demonstrate overall good fit of the responses with the Rasch model for each subscale. Findings also support the hypothesized relationships among the eight dimensions proposed for the QTI.