ACSPRI Conferences, RC33 Eighth International Conference on Social Science Methodology

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Multl-level construct development and validation of spirituality

Matt Vassar

Building: Law Building
Room: Breakout 3 - Law Building, Room 104
Date: 2012-07-10 03:30 PM – 05:00 PM
Last modified: 2012-03-01

Abstract


The development and validation of multi-level constructs is of growing interest in the research methods community. Simply stated, a multi-level construct may be defined as a phenomenon that is inherently meaningful at both the individual and group levels (i.e., one or more levels of aggregation; Zumbo, 2011). A number of methodologists have developed frameworks for the validation of multi-level constructs, including the Chen et al. (2004) and the Dansereau et. al.’s within and between analysis (WABA). Spirituality is one construct that may be conceptualized from a multi-level perspective, yet surprisingly, little, if any research has been devoted to the development of the spirituality construct from this standpoint. Spirituality is not only an individual-level variable that involves the growth and spiritual development of the person but may also be defined in terms of the family unit, a collective religious/spiritual group, or the workplace. The purpose of this research is to operationally define the multi-level construct of spirituality and to validate the construct from a multi-level orientation. The framework provided by Chen, Mathieu, and Bliese (2004) will be applied. This study will contribute in a meaningful way to the study of spirituality in a variety of academic domains and could have far reaching implications for future research in this area.