Construct validity and reliability of the scales for rating the behavioral characteristics of superior students among a sample of elementary students in Qatar

Abstract

This study tested the construct validity and reliability of the Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students (SRBCSS) with the purpose to have a valid and reliable measure to identify the gifted individuals. The sample consisted of 176 superior students from grades five and six in Qatar. The results revealed a high consistency in rating the students by their teachers. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the items clustered around the 12 subscales. Also, the indicators in form of parcels produced 12 factors and two second-order factors that represent learning/personal and verbal/artistic characteristics. The results showed that those major characteristics are highly correlated and provided support to the convergent validity of the subscales. The implication of these results indicate that the subscales can be used collectively or separately to assess students’ characteristics of superiority in the Arab milieu.