Description

The Self-Determination Scale (SDS) is an important tool for assessing individuals’ self-determination and autonomy. Proper design, analysis, and calibration of the questionnaire ensure the reliability and validity of the results, providing valuable insights into participants’ sense of personal freedom and control over their lives.

Purpose

The main purpose of the Self-Determination Scale (SDS) is to measure individuals’ self-determination, that is, the extent to which they feel that their actions and choices are determined by themselves rather than by external pressures or influences. The SDS is used to evaluate intrinsic motivation and autonomy, offering an overview of how people perceive their personal freedom and sense of control in their lives.

Analysis

The analysis of the data collected from the SDS includes:
Descriptive Statistics: Presentation of the basic characteristics of the data (e.g., means, variances, percentages) to provide a general picture of participants’ self-determination.
Frequency Analysis: Recording and analysis of the frequency of responses for each question.
Comparative Analysis: Comparison of responses between different groups of participants (e.g., age groups, gender, occupational status).
Correlation: Examination of the relationship between self-determination and other psychological or social variables (e.g., job satisfaction, psychological well-being).
Factor Analysis: Examination of the structure of the SDS subscales in order to verify the theoretical construct of the instrument.

Calibration

The calibration of the SDS involves the process of evaluating the reliability and validity of the instrument. This can be achieved through:
Preliminary Testing: Administering the questionnaire to a small sample of participants to identify and correct potential issues.
Reliability Analysis: Using statistical methods (such as Cronbach’s alpha) to assess the internal consistency of the SDS subscales.
Validity Analysis: Examination of content, criterion, and construct validity to ensure that the questionnaire measures what it is intended to measure.
Cross-Validation: Using data from different samples to confirm the reliability and validity of the results.

References

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.
DeVellis, R. F. (2016). Scale development: Theory and applications (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Fowler, F. J. (2013). Survey research methods (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Plenum.
Vallerand, R. J. (1997). Toward a hierarchical model of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 29, 271–360.