Comparability of Feedback in PISA 2015 across Culturally Diverse Countries

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the comparability of feedback across culturally diverse countries by assessing the measurement invariance in PISA 2015 data. A multi-group confirmatory factor analysis showed that the feedback scale implemented in PISA 2015 was not invariant across countries. The intercepts and residuals of the factor model were clearly not the same, and the factor loadings also differed. Model fit slightly improved when the more individualism-oriented countries were separated from the more collectivism-oriented countries, but not to an acceptable level. This implies that the feedback results from PISA 2015 have a different meaning across countries, and it is necessary to be careful when making cross-cultural comparisons. However, the absence of measurement invariance did not affect the relationship between feedback and science achievement scores. This means that feedback, as measured by PISA 2015, can be compared across culturally different countries, although the current form of this scale lacks important, culturally specific elements.