Toward More Comprehensive Chinese Internet Users’ Studies: Translation and Validation of the Chinese–Mandarin Version of the 8-Item Information Retrieval on the Web Self-Efficacy Scale (Ch-IROWSE)

ABSTRACT

In this article, we fill a dearth in the literature of Internet self-efficacy (ISS) measurement. We introduce the translation and validation of the Chinese-Mandarin version of the 8-item Information Retrieval On the Web Self-Efficacy scale (IROWSE scale), which has been originally developed in the French language (Rodon & Meyer, 2017). After back-forward translation procedure and content clarity, we ran a test of this new version. We checked the intrinsic psychometric properties including reliability, factor structure (CFA), and criterion-related validity regarding skills for retrieving information on the Web, general attitude toward the Web, experience, gender, and age. Assessment of construct validity indicated, as expected, a one-factor model for the eight items (with coefficient alpha equal to 0.90). Its sum-scores were not confounded with skill levels or general attitudes, and it founds its sources in direct experiences. Furthermore, research would take into account the Internet World population more broadly beyond the West with this new version.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

There are no potential conflicts of interest known to any of the contributing authors.

Funding

This study was carried out during a 2-year postdoctoral period in Shanghai under the hosting of SASS. The first author was granted a financial support from the Sciences and Technology Fellowship, the pilot phase of an EU action in the People’s Republic of China, aiming at building bridges between the EU and the People’s Republic of China in the Science & Technology domain (STF China, Europe Aid/128952/L/ACT/CN, 2nd intake, http://www.euchinastf.eu/?q=node/6). For any requests please contact Carole Rodon [email protected]

Additional information

Funding

This study was carried out during a 2-year postdoctoral period in Shanghai under the hosting of SASS. The first author was granted a financial support from the Sciences and Technology Fellowship, the pilot phase of an EU action in the People’s Republic of China, aiming at building bridges between the EU and the People’s Republic of China in the Science & Technology domain (STF China, Europe Aid/128952/L/ACT/CN, 2nd intake, http://www.euchinastf.eu/?q=node/6). For any requests please contact Carole Rodon [email protected]

Notes on contributors

Carole Rodon

Carole Rodon, PhD in Social Psychology, has been based in China for 5 years (Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences; S&T Fellowship /EU delegation; Tongji University). Currently in France, she is an associate fellow of the French National Institute of Research in Transport and Security (IFSTTAR) and of Aix-Marseille University.

Aline Chevalier

Aline Chevalier is a Professor in Cognitive Psychology and Ergonomics at the University of Toulouse. Her research focuses on the role of cognitive processes involved in information searching on the Web, the effect of aging and expertise on strategies used, and the study of the cognitive activity of designers of information systems.