Skip to main content
Log in

In search of content validity: facet analysis as a qualitative method to improve questionnaire design

An application in health research

  • Published:
Quality & Quantity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, two scales are examined for the measurement of self-regulation. The item content is evaluated for its specific usefulness for measuring self-regulation of obesity patients. Qualitative facet analysis (QFA), an application of Guttmann’s Facet Theory, is used to investigate whether item content sufficiently covers the intended content area. This form of content analysis constitutes a systematic, effective and critical tool for improving the content validity of questionnaires. It discovers topics that are underrepresented or overrepresented. The method offers a way to clarify the relationship between concrete item phrases and the desired content as defined by construct and theory. It allows the researcher to improve his or her understanding of the items as a stimulus and of the similarities of items, and allows the formulation of a possible structure for confirmative factor analysis. Various ways to improve the content of both scales are identified.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Borg I., Shye S.: Facet Theory: Form and Content. Sage, London (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, E.H.: Facet Theory Bibliography. Facet Theory Association, Ljubljana–Jerusalem. Available online at: www.psy.mq.edu.au/FTA (2004). Accessed 8 September 2006

  • Cronbach L.J., Meehl P.E.: Construct validity in psychological tests. Psychol. Bull. 52, 281–302 (1955)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foa U.G.: The contiguity principle in the structure of interpersonal relations. Hum. Relat. 11, 229–238 (1958)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foa U.G.: New developments in facet design and analysis. Psychol. Rev. 72, 262–274 (1965)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guttman L.: The mapping sentence for assessing values. In: Levy, S.(eds) Louis Guttman on Theory and Methodology: Selected Writings, pp. 44–55. Aldershot, Dartmouth (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, J.K.: Psychological predictors of outcome after gastric banding for morbid obesity. Doctoral Dissertation, Utrecht University, The Netherlands (2004)

  • Leventhal H., Leventhal E.A., Contrada R.J.: Self-regulation, health, and behavior: a perceptual-cognitive approach. Psychology and Health 13, 717–733 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levy S.: Louis Guttman on Theory and Methodology: Selected Writings. Aldershot, Dartmouth (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moss-Morris R., Weinman J., Petrie K.J., Horne R., Cameron L.D., Buick D.: The revised illness perception questionnaire (IPQ-R). Psychol. Health 17, 1–16 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rotter J.B.: Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychol. Monogr. 80, 1–28 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rotter J.B.: Internal versus external control of reinforcement: a case history of a variable. Am. Psychol. 45, 489–493 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shye, S. (ed.): Theory Construction and Data Analysis in the Behavioral Sciences. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shye, S., Elizur, D., Hoffman, M.: Introduction to Facet Theory: content design and intrinsic data analysis in behavioural research. Appl. Soc. Res. Methods Seri. 35. Sage, London (1994)

  • Weinman, J. Petrie K.J., Moss-Morris R., Horne R.: The illness perception questionnaire: new method for assessing the cognitive representation of illness. Psychol. Health 11, 431–445 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zijlstra H., Larsen J.K., van Ramshorst B., Geenen R.: The association between weight loss and self- regulation cognitions before and after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for obesity: a longitudinal study. Surgery 139, 334–339 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. A. Landsheer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Landsheer, J.A., Boeije, H.R. In search of content validity: facet analysis as a qualitative method to improve questionnaire design. Qual Quant 44, 59–69 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-008-9179-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-008-9179-6

Keywords

Navigation