Assessment of perceived general self-efficacy on the internet: Data collection in cyberspace
Abstract
General perceived self-efficacy pertains to optimistic beliefs about being able to cope with a large variety of stressors. It is measured with a ten-item scale that has proven useful in cross-cultural research. Previous findings suggest that the construct is universal and that it applies to the majority of cultures worldwide. The present investigation adds a new facet to it: can perceived self-efficacy be measured as part of an interactive computer session while surfing the Internet? A total of 1,437 computer users responded to a survey on the web, half of them young men and women below the age of 26. These data were compared to 290 Canadian university students, 274 teachers in Germany, and 3,077 high school students in Germany. It turned out that all psychometric characteristics were satisfactory. Some evidence for validity emerged. It is suggested that innovative methods of data collection be considered when developing a psychometric scale.
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The Self-Efficacy Scale has internal consistencies of Cronbach's α = 0.75-0.91 and has been proven reliable and valid in various field studies.
“It was used in numerous research projects, where it demonstrated internal consistencies of Cronbach’s α = 0.75–0.91. It has also been proven reliable and valid in various field studies [83].”
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- Authors
- Schwarzer, R., Mueller, J., & Greenglass, E.
- Affiliations
- Freie Universität Berlin (DE)
- University of Calgary (CA)
- York University (CA)
- Venue
- Anxiety, Stress & Coping
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1999-01
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 145-161
- ISSN
- 1061-5806 (ISSN-L)
- 1477-2205
- OpenAlex
- W2122740186
- Cited by
- 404
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 30 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 22
- FWCI
- 5.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Anxiety Stress & Coping (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- self-efficacy scale, online data collection, online assessment, psychometric validation, scale development, cross-cultural measurement, young adults, university students, teachers, high school students
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