The Development and Content Validation of the Self-Assessment for Student Success (SASS): An Instrument Measuring Areas Impacting Student Success in Higher Education

Abstract

The Self-Assessment of Student Success (SASS) is a self-report tool that aims to provide students in higher education the opportunity to determine their strengths and limitations within five domains: resilience, stress management, social supports, quality of life, and study skills. Content validity of the SASS was determined by having nine content experts rate test items. Item level content validity index (ICV-I), scale level validity (S-CVI), and Kappa indices were calculated based on responses. Thirty-two of 34 items show strong I-CVI scores. Two items were revised based on feedback. This study provides evidence of content validity of the SASS.

Keywords:

• Higher education
• student success
• success measure
• assessment development
• content validity

Acknowledgments

The researchers would like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute to the production of this study and article including the content experts, peer reviewers, and faculty and staff at Columbia University for generously providing their time and invaluable feedback.

Author contributions

Juliana Perez is responsible for conceptualizing the assessment tool and design of study, acquisition of data, and analysis and interpretation of data. Additionally, Dr. Pérez created initial content regarding student success and research findings including drafting, revising, and approving the final version of the manuscript. Lenin C. Grajo provided mentorship on the assessment development process including the design of study, expert guidance on analysis and interpretation of data, in addition to revision of content and approval for publication.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.