An Investigation of the Item Characteristics, Reliability, and Validity of the Inquiry Mode Questionnaire

Abstract

Initial assessments of the item characteristics, reliability, and validity of the Inquiry Mode Questionnaire (InQ) are reported. The InQ attempts to measure the characteristic thinking style of individuals on five major dimensions: synthesist, idealist, analyst, realist, and pragmatist. Item analyses showed that the items comprising each subtest correlated highly with total subtest scores and differentiated high and low scorers in each subtest. A test-retest reliability study showed that subtest reliabilities, although higher than subtest intercorrelations, were not high enough to warrant interpretation of individual subtest scores. However, and most important, profiles of subtest scores were judged to possess the degree of reliability probably necessary for individual score profile interpretation. Factor analyses of item data provided some support for the five theoretical factors noted as did analysis of average profiles for several occupational and professional groups. Based on these data, the conclusion was reached that the InQ is a promising new instrument worthy of use coupled with research to assess further its reliability and validity.