Understanding barriers and motivations in solid waste management from Malaysian industries: a comparative analysis.

The objective of this study is to explore the similarities and differences in the barriers and motivations between the plastic and resins and food and beverages industries as these two industries are the major contributors of solid waste in Malaysia. Prior studies are lacking with regard to explaining the barriers and motivations in solid waste management from the Malaysian context. This study is focused on 10 firms from the plastics and resins industry and 9 from the food and beverages industry in Malaysia. Through Rasch measurement theory, the results indicate that the barriers of lack of skills and qualifications and lack of closed-loop control and the motivations of cost savings and a business model are performed differently. The findings further confirm that the lack of skills and qualifications is a more difficult barrier to overcome than the lack of closed-loop control, while the motivation factor of a business model is more difficult to achieve than cost savings. In terms of practical contribution, this study provides results that can help policy makers in Malaysia to close the gaps present regarding the adoption of solid waste management practices and to devise appropriate incentives. The study also supports managers of companies in regard to working on the most pressing hindering and promoting factors in the field of solid waste management.

Psychometric properties of a Korean version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) in a military sample.

BACKGROUND: Perceived stress reflects a person's feeling of how much stress the individual is under at a given time. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a popular instrument measuring the extent to which individuals perceive situations in their life as excessive relative to the ability to cope. Based on a literature review, however, several issues related to the scale remain: (a) the dimensionality is not established, (b) little information about the individual items exists, and (c) much research is based on university student samples. To address these, this study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the Perceived Stress Scale (KPSS) using a military sample. METHODS: This study was conducted in South Korea with 373 military personnel, aged 19-30 years. Both classical test theory (CTT) and the Rasch rating scale model were used to examine the psychometric properties of the KPSS, including factor structure, concurrent validity, reliability, and item analyses. RESULTS: Internal consistency reliability for the overall and negative/positive perception subscales was.85, .85 and .86, respectively. Based on Rasch reliability, person and item reliability were .82 and .98, respectively. Person and item separation were 2.13 and 7.19, respectively. Concurrent validity was established, with significantly positive association with the measures of depression and negative association with the measure of life satisfaction. Findings from the CFA suggested that a bifactor model with two group factors was the best fit to the observed data. The RSM showed that all but one item had acceptable infit and outfit statistics, and item difficulty ranged from -.73 to 1.22. Besides, the RSM showed positive and moderate inter-item correlations ranging from .42 to .75. CONCLUSIONS: The results provided evidence that a 10-item Korean version of the Perceived Stress Scale was a reliable and valid scale to measure perceived stress in military samples.

Contrasting Two Verbal Fluency Scoring Systems Using the Rasch Rating Scale Model / Comparación de Dos Sistemas de Puntuación de la Fluidez Verbal Mediante el Modelo de Escalas de Calificación

Resumen Objetivo: Comparar dos sistemas de puntuación para un test de fluidez verbal con el Modelo de Escalas de Calificación. Método: Se analizaron datos de 289 participantes, de los cuales 92 habían sido diagnosticados con Parkinson. Las puntuaciones se calcularon con dos sistemas de categorización: un procedimiento convencional y otro basado en percentiles. Resultados: Las puntuaciones Rasch procedentes de percentiles dan lugar a categorías adecuadas y medidas fiables; la correlación con las puntuaciones del test Minimental es evidencia de validez concurrente. Tras controlar estadísticamente el efecto de la edad, las medidas Rasch procedentes de percentiles discriminan entre ambos grupos, lo que evidencia validez predictiva. Conclusiones: El análisis de los dos procedimientos permite recomendar el uso de las categorías basadas en percentiles.

Abstract Objective: Two scoring systems for a verbal fluency test were compared using the Rasch Rating Scale Model. Method: The analysis was carried out on 289 participants, 92 of whom had had a Parkinson's disease diagnosis. Scores were calculated with two different category systems: a conventional procedure and a percentile-based one. Results: The percentile-based Rasch scores produce adequate categories and reliable measures, while the correlation with the Mini Mental State Examination evinces concurrent validity. After statistically controlling for age, percentile-based Rasch measures discriminated between both groups, demonstrating predictive validity. Conclusions: The analysis of the two procedures allows for the recommendation of the use of percentile-based categories.

Los padres como promotores del desarrollo de lenguaje de bebés prematuros: propuesta de intervención temprana / Parents as Promoters of Language Development in Premature Babies: a Proposal for Early intervention

Resumen Objetivo: Comparar dos sistemas de puntuación para un test de fluidez verbal con el Modelo de Escalas de Calificación. Método: Se analizaron datos de 289 participantes, de los cuales 92 habían sido diagnosticados con Parkinson. Las puntuaciones se calcularon con dos sistemas de categorización: un procedimiento convencional y otro basado en percentiles. Resultados: Las puntuaciones Rasch procedentes de percentiles dan lugar a categorías adecuadas y medidas fiables; la correlación con las puntuaciones del test Minimental es evidencia de validez concurrente. Tras controlar estadísticamente el efecto de la edad, las medidas Rasch procedentes de percentiles discriminan entre ambos grupos, lo que evidencia validez predictiva. Conclusiones: El análisis de los dos procedimientos permite recomendar el uso de las categorías basadas en percentiles.

Abstract Objective: Two scoring systems for a verbal fluency test were compared using the Rasch Rating Scale Model. Method: The analysis was carried out on 289 participants, 92 of whom had had a Parkinson's disease diagnosis. Scores were calculated with two different category systems: a conventional procedure and a percentile-based one. Results: The percentile-based Rasch scores produce adequate categories and reliable measures, while the correlation with the Mini Mental State Examination evinces concurrent validity. After statistically controlling for age, percentile-based Rasch measures discriminated between both groups, demonstrating predictive validity. Conclusions: The analysis of the two procedures allows for the recommendation of the use of percentile-based categories.

A Rasch analysis of the harm reduction self-efficacy questionnaire in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: A high degree of self-efficacy is required from drug users if they are to adopt long-term abstinence-maintaining or harm-reducing behaviors. Our objective was to analyze the psychometric quality of the Harm Reduction Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (HRSEQ) with the Rating Scale Model (RSM), an extension of the Rasch Model for polytomous items. METHODS: Participants were 419 drug dependents from both harm reduction low threshold methadone program and therapeutic community programs in Portugal (84.5% male). RESULTS: Indicate that the original 11-category response system did not work adequately in any of the HRSEQ situations (Withdrawal, Negative emotions and Social pressure). There was no gender-related or group-related DIF and thus the findings of neither group nor gender-related difference in harm reduction self-efficacy cannot be plausibly attributed to that technical problem. CONCLUSIONS: After recoding the rating scales by collapsing the eleven categories into four, the HRSEQ scores show good model fit and psychometric adequacy.

Measurement properties of a screening questionnaire of obstructive sleep apnea risk: Little information, great prediction?(☆).

INTRODUCTION: Previous research had shown the suitability of several questionnaires predicting the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Measurement properties of an online screening questionnaire were studied. METHODS: The sample consisted of 184 Portuguese adults (89 men and 95 women); 46 of them were polysomnographically diagnosed with the untreated obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The participants were assessed with an online questionnaire of sleep apnea risk, from University of Maryland. RESULTS: A principal component factor analysis was performed, revealing a single factor (49.24% of the total variance). Internal consistency was minimally adequate (α=0.74). The mean of inter-item correlation was of 0.35 (0.120.61), whereas the item-total correlations were considered good (0.520.81). The total score for patients was significantly higher than for healthy participants (p<0.000), but no significant statistical differences between severity groups of patients were found (p>0.05). Furthermore, the ability of the measure in discriminating between healthy subjects and OSA subjects was good. Overall data from the Rasch analysis was consistent with the guidelines of Linacre, scores show good model fit and psychometric adequacy. CONCLUSIONS: The measure showed an adequate structural, internal and criterion validity, suggesting this as a useful and effective screening for sleep apnea risk in Portuguese adults.

Validity study of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (Portuguese version) by the Rasch Rating Scale model / Estudo de validade da versão portuguesa do Beck Anxiety Inventory mediante o modelo Rasch Rating Scale

Our objective was to conduct a validation study of the Portuguese version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) by means of the Rasch Rating Scale Model, and then compare it with the most used scales of anxiety in Portugal. The sample consisted of 1,160 adults (427 men and 733 women), aged 18-82 years old (M=33.39; SD=11.85). Instruments were Beck Anxiety Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. It was found that Beck Anxiety Inventory's system of four categories, the data-model fit, and people reliability were adequate. The measure can be considered as unidimensional. Gender and age-related differences were not a threat to the validity. BAI correlated significantly with other anxiety measures. In conclusion, BAI shows good psychometric quality.(AU)

Foi objetivo a validação da versão portuguesa do Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) mediante o modelo Rasch Rating Scale e a sua comparação com as escalas mais usadas de ansiedade em Portugal. A amostra consistia de 1160 adultos (427 homens e 733 mulheres) com idades entre 18-82 anos (M = 33,39; DP = 11,85). Os instrumentos utilizados foram: BAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory e Zung Anxiety Scale. Verificou-se que o sistema de quatro categorias, o ajuste dos dados ao modelo e a fidelidade das pessoas eram adequados. A medida é unidimensional. O género e as diferenças relacionadas com a idade não se mostraram ameaças à validade. O BAI correlaciona-se significativamente com as restantes medidas de ansiedade. Conclui-se que o instrumento apresenta boa qualidade psicométrica.(AU)

Validity study of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (Portuguese version) by the Rasch Rating Scale model / Estudo de validade da versão portuguesa do Beck Anxiety Inventory mediante o modelo Rasch Rating Scale

Our objective was to conduct a validation study of the Portuguese version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) by means of the Rasch Rating Scale Model, and then compare it with the most used scales of anxiety in Portugal. The sample consisted of 1,160 adults (427 men and 733 women), aged 18-82 years old (M=33.39; SD=11.85). Instruments were Beck Anxiety Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. It was found that Beck Anxiety Inventory's system of four categories, the data-model fit, and people reliability were adequate. The measure can be considered as unidimensional. Gender and age-related differences were not a threat to the validity. BAI correlated significantly with other anxiety measures. In conclusion, BAI shows good psychometric quality...

Foi objetivo a validação da versão portuguesa do Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) mediante o modelo Rasch Rating Scale e a sua comparação com as escalas mais usadas de ansiedade em Portugal. A amostra consistia de 1160 adultos (427 homens e 733 mulheres) com idades entre 18-82 anos (M = 33,39; DP = 11,85). Os instrumentos utilizados foram: BAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory e Zung Anxiety Scale. Verificou-se que o sistema de quatro categorias, o ajuste dos dados ao modelo e a fidelidade das pessoas eram adequados. A medida é unidimensional. O género e as diferenças relacionadas com a idade não se mostraram ameaças à validade. O BAI correlaciona-se significativamente com as restantes medidas de ansiedade. Conclui-se que o instrumento apresenta boa qualidade psicométrica...