Reliability and Validity of a Shortened Form of the Inventory of Learning Processes

Abstract

Several measures of reliability and validity were used to compare a shortened and a complete form of the Inventory of Learning Processes (Schmeck, Ribich, and Ramanaiah, 1977). Very similar reliability and validity statistics were produced with the two forms, suggesting that the shorter (37 item) version may be a suitable substitute for the longer (62 item) version, particularly when greater brevity is important. Surprisingly low, validity coefficients were produced with both inventories in this study. This was attributed to the time of administration of the inventories, i.e., just prior to the start of students' first college semester. Longitudinal studies of changes in students' learning and study processes using inventories such as the Inventory of Learning Processes are suggested as an important research area.