Group Cohesion at BSC
Group Cohesion at Birmingham-Southern College
You have been hired as an Executive Assistant to Birmingham-Southern College President Daniel Coleman. President Coleman is concerned about student retention at BSC. You seem to remember studying about a construct called Group Cohesion. Basically, group cohesion measures how attractive a group is to its members and the strength of group members’ desires to remain a part of the group. If you think of BSC as being a “group,” and students as members of this group, then understanding the variables that impact group cohesion among BSC students might give insights into the likelihood of student retention.
You have collected data from the survey shown below (the Excel data file “Group Cohes BSC Data” is posted below). The scale was developed to measure two dimensions. The belongingness dimension (highlighted in blue), measures the extent to which group members feel as if they belong in the group. The morale dimension (highlighted in green), measures one’s feelings of enthusiasm as a member of the group.
· Using factor analysis, test each scale separately to provide evidence of construct validity and reliability for the belongingness and morale dimensions of group cohesion.
· Which questions provide the best scale for each of these two dimensions?
Stop here. Submit a copy of the component matrix that you used and your answer to the question above. We will work the remainder of this problem in class.
· Using the two scales that you have identified, can you provide evidence of discriminant validity for these two similar constructs related to these two dimensions of cohesion?
· Use the scale that you’ve developed to measure these two dimensions and calculate the univariate statistics for each.
· Write a report that summarizes your findings. Be sure to also include a copy of the SPSS output that you used in your analysis. Cut and paste the relevant SPSS output into a word document along with your report. Submit the file on Moodle.
With these questions, we’re interested in knowing how you feel about Birmingham-Southern College. Circle your answer using the scale at the right.
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Strongly |
Strongly |
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1. I feel a sense of belonging to Birmingham-Southern College. |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
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2. I feel that I am a member of the Birmingham-Southern College community. |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
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3. I see myself as part of the Birmingham-Southern College community. |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
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4. I am enthusiastic about Birmingham-Southern College. |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
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5. I am happy to be a part of Birmingham-Southern College. |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
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6. Birmingham-Southern College is one of the best liberal arts colleges in the southeast. |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
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