Validity of construct of the scale environment Conditions and Learning Characteristics at the University (CACAU)

The use of measures with satisfactory psychometric capabilities in research about the perception of university students regarding the quality of institution is essential. The objective of this study was to estimate the construct validity of the CACAU scale (Environment Conditions and Learning Characteristics in the University) of the ISAQ-A questionnaire (Health Indicators and Quality of Life in Academics). The information in this study were derived from the first survey of the MONISA study (Monitoring of Health Indicators and Quality of Life in Academics) conducted in 2010 with university students from a public institution in the state of Bahia. Participated of the study 1084 students. The CACAU scale consists of 15 items with the following response options: very good, good, bad and very bad. The exploratory factorial analysis and Cronbach's alpha (α) were used. There were four latent factors (F1: Opportunity and motivation for learning; F2: Physical environment and learning equipment; F3: Social environment for learning; and F4: Self-assessment of knowledge and university relevance), which explained 56.16% and the overall internal consistency level was good (α: 0.81). The CACAU scale shows a satisfactory psychometric capacity and the four latent factors of the scale explain the moderately environment and learning at university.

Key words:
Validity of Construct; Social Environment; Learning; Students.University