Reliability and construct validity of the Online Cognition Scale in the Portuguese (Brazil) version (OCS-BR)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate construct validity and reliability of the Portuguese (Brazil) version of Online Cognition Scale (OCS-BR). Methods Portuguese (Brazil) versions of Online Cognition Scale (OCS), of Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and socio demographic questionnaire was applied to a sample (n = 359) of health university students. Construct validity evidence was verified through the factorial and convergent validity by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and internal consistency and stability analysis through Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) respectively. Discriminative power of items were analyzed using item-total correlation and point biserial correlation. Results OCS-BR presented satisfactory evidence of construct validity. The instrument showed Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91 and ICC of 0.91. Conclusion Portuguese (Brazil) version of OCS shows items consistently gatherd to measure the Problematic Internet Use (PIU) construct, it is considered s stable instrument in time and with sufficient evidence of construct validity.