Description

The Problems in Schools Questionnaire (TPISQ-32) is an assessment instrument designed to collect and analyse information regarding problems encountered within the school environment. The appropriate design, analysis, and calibration of the questionnaire contribute to the reliability and validity of the results, supporting a better understanding of difficulties experienced by students, teachers, and parents.

The questionnaire focuses on issues that may influence the educational process, academic performance, psychological well-being, and overall school culture.

Objective

The main objective of the TPISQ-32 is to collect information about problems experienced by students, teachers, and parents within the school context.

The instrument aims to identify and understand factors that affect educational functioning, learning outcomes, emotional well-being, and relationships within the school community.

Structure and Content

The TPISQ-32 examines different aspects of school-related difficulties and can be used to explore the perceptions of different members of the educational community.

The questionnaire may include areas related to academic difficulties, interpersonal relationships, school climate, emotional challenges, and factors influencing the educational experience.

Data Analysis and Use

The analysis of TPISQ data includes several statistical approaches.

Descriptive statistics are used to present the main characteristics of the collected data, including means, variability measures, and percentages, providing an overall picture of the reported problems.

Frequency analysis is used to identify the occurrence and prevalence of different problems reported by participants.

Comparative analysis allows comparisons between different groups of participants, such as students, teachers, and parents.

Correlation analysis can be used to examine relationships between school problems and other variables, such as academic performance and school satisfaction.

Qualitative analysis of open-ended questions can provide deeper understanding of the themes and patterns emerging from reported problems.

Scoring and Calibration

The calibration of the TPISQ includes the evaluation of the reliability and validity of the instrument.

This process may include:

Preliminary testing, through administration of the questionnaire to a small sample in order to identify and correct possible issues.

Reliability analysis, using statistical methods such as Cronbach’s alpha to evaluate the internal consistency of the TPISQ subscales.

Validity analysis, including content validity, criterion validity, and construct validity, to confirm that the questionnaire measures the intended concepts.

Cross-validation, using data from different samples to verify the reliability and validity of the findings.

Applications

The TPISQ-32 can be applied in educational research, school evaluation studies, and investigations examining factors affecting students’ learning experiences and school functioning.

It may support educators, researchers, and policymakers in identifying areas requiring improvement and designing targeted interventions to enhance the quality of the educational environment.

References

Dillman, D. A., Smyth, J. D., & Christian, L. M. (2014). Internet, Phone, Mail, and Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method. John Wiley & Sons.

DeVellis, R. F. (2016). Scale Development: Theory and Applications (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Fowler, F. J. (2013). Survey Research Methods (5th ed.). Sage Publications.

Hattie, J. (2008). Visible Learning: A Synthesis of Over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement. Routledge.

Epstein, J. L., & Sheldon, S. B. (2006). Moving forward: Ideas for research on school, family, and community partnerships. In C. F. Conrad & R. Serlin (Eds.), The Sage Handbook for Research in Education: Engaging Ideas and Enriching Inquiry (pp. 117–138). Sage Publications.