• Confirmatory factor analysis of the thought occurrence questionnaire for sport (TOQS) among adolescent athletes

      Lane, Andrew M.; Harwood, Chris; Nevill, Alan M. (Routledge, 2005)
      There is an inherent link between theory and measurement suggesting that validation of measures should be the first stage of theory testing. The aim of the present study was to cross-validate the factorial validity of the Thought Occurrence Questionnaire for Sport for use among adolescent athletes. National standard young athletes (Individual N_/204; Team N_/360) completed the TOQS questionnaire. Single-sample and multisample confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the psychometric integrity of the hypothesized three-factor correlated model. Multisample results demonstrated invariance for factor loadings and correlations between individual and team athletes. Internal consistency coefficients were over the .70 criterion for acceptability. Findings lend support to previous validation studies conducted on samples of adult athletes and suggest that the TOQS provides an equally valid measure for use among adolescent athletes. It is suggested that the TOQS can be used to investigate theoretical issues related to cognitive interference during competition.
    • Mood and performance: test of a conceptual model with a focus on depressed mood

      Lane, Andrew M.; Terry, Peter C.; Beedie, Chris; Curry, David; Clark, Niall (Elsevier, 2001)
      Objectives. The present study tested a conceptual model of mood–performance relationships (J. Appl. Sport Psychol. 12 (2000) 16) which proposed that depressed mood would influence the intensity and inter-relationships of other mood responses, and moderate the anger–performance and tension–performance relationships. Design. To promote ecological validity, the model was tested in a field setting using a cross-sectional design. Methods. A sample of 451 schoolchildren [age: MEAN=12.4 years, standard deviation (SD)=1.3 years] completed the Profile of Mood States — Adolescents (POMS-A; J. Sports Sci. 17 (1999) 861) and stated a performance goal, approximately 10 minutes before a running event. Participants were divided into a depressed mood group (n=273) and a no-depression group (n=178) on the basis of responses to the POMS-A depression subscale. Results. As hypothesised, the depressed mood group reported higher scores for anger, confusion, fatigue and tension, and lower scores for vigour. Inter-correlations among these mood dimensions were stronger in the depressed mood group, who set easier goals and performed less well. Vigour was associated with facilitated performance regardless of depression. Anger was associated with debilitated performance in the depressed mood group and with facilitated performance in the no-depression group. Some support was shown for a moderating effect of depressed mood on the tension–performance relationship. The hypothesised curvilinear anger–performance and tension–performance relationships in the no-depression group did not emerge. Conclusion. The Lane and Terry model was generally, but not totally, supported. Future research should continue to investigate the mechanisms underlying mood–performance relationships.
    • Revisiting innovation practices in subsistence farming: The net effects of land management, pesticide, herbicide and fungicide practices on expected crop harvest in Ethiopia

      Onjewu, Adah-Kole; Jafari-Sadeghi, Vahid; Hussain, Sundas (Inderscience Publishers, 2022-03-10)
      To settle inconsistent findings in the farming innovation and productivity nexus, this inquiry examines the land management practices of 7,625 households in rural Ethiopia. Specifically, the net effects of (1) improved seeds, (2) mixed cropping and (3) row planting on the use of (4) pesticides, (5) herbicides and (6) fungicides are assessed. Using a structural equation technique, the study probes how these six practices predict households’ expected harvest. It is found that while improved seeds increase pesticide, herbicide and fungicide use, mixed cropping and row planting generally reduce these practices. Moreover, mixed cropping moderately increases expected harvest while improved seeds and row planting have the reverse effect. The interrelations of these factors increase knowledge in contingency-driven agronomics, and provoke reflection on the sustainability of land management practices. Particularly, opposed to prevailing views, it is demonstrated that sowing traditional seeds will reduce households’ reliance on pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. The inherent findings speak to policy-makers tasked with supporting peasant life in rural Ethiopia and similar contexts.
    • The Chinese Quality Of Life Instrument: Development Of A New Health-Related Quality Of Life Instrument Using Factor Analysis And Structural Equation Modeling

      Zhao, Li; Chan, Kelvin C.; Leung, Kwok-fai; Liu, Feng-bin; Lang, Jian-ying; Fang, Ji-qian (The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2006)
      A new Chinese Quality of Life Instrument (ChQOL) based on the principles of diagnosis and practice in Chinese medicine has been developed. This paper describes the development of the ChQOL instrument using factor analysis and structural equation modeling. An initial pilot version of the 78 items instrument was field tested in a sample 273 subjects recruited from different areas in China. The objective of this study was to determine the factor structure and latent constructs of the ChQOL based on factor analysis. A series of confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation models were used to determine the final model of the ChQOL. The results showed that the application of factor analysis and structural equation modeling is an effective method to develop the new health-related quality of life instrument, ChQOL, even though the practice of Chinese medicine is quite different from the practice of conventional western medicine.
    • The impacts of monetary rewards on public sector employees: a case of Jigawa State in Nigeria

      Chinyio, Ezekiel; Suresh, Subashini; Salisu, Jamilu Bappa; University of Wolverhampton Wolverhampton United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; University of Wolverhampton Wolverhampton United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; University of Wolverhampton Faculty of Science and Engineering Wolverhampton United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Emerald, 2017-12-28)
      Purpose Literature indicates that monetary reward or compensation impacts on the level of attraction, motivation, job satisfaction and retention of employees. The elements of compensation include salary, bonuses (allowances), gratuity and pension. The study investigated how these four elements of compensation specifically influence the attraction, motivation, job satisfaction, and retention of public sector construction employees of Jigawa State of Nigeria to inform how their employer can raise the current levels of satisfaction and retention of employees. Design/methodology/approach The Positivist paradigm guided the empirical research where a questionnaire was developed, pilot-tested and administered to 265 people using stratified random sampling. A total of 260 questionnaires were collected, representing a response rate of 98%. The data obtained was analysed using both descriptive statistics and Structural Equation Modelling. Findings The results established that construction employees in Jigawa State’s public sector were motivated by allowances and gratuity, attracted to the job by salary, pension and gratuity, and remained in their jobs through the influences of gratuity and pension. Gratuity played a major role as it impacted on all the 4 variables studied. Practical implications These findings are applicable to Jigawa State of Nigeria, but can be extrapolated to other public sector construction employees in the whole country. The findings could also be generalized in other States where the pay scales are different within the ministries. Originality/value The impacts of 4 elements of monetary rewards on 4 employees’ variables were studied. The specifics of which elements of compensation influence the employees of Jigawa State’s Ministry of Works and Transport have been identified. The findings from this study showed that gratuity played a primary role as it impacted highly on all the 4 variables of job attraction, motivation, satisfaction and retention. Pension also played a high role as it impacted heavily on job attraction, satisfaction and retention. Comparatively salary and allowances had high impact on one variable each: job attraction and motivation respectively.