DEVELOPMENT and Validation of a Measurement Scale for Student Attitude towards Philippine Folk DANCES

Abstract

This study aimed to explore and quantify university students’ attitudes toward Philippine folk dances in Region XII, Philippines, through the development and validation of a culturally relevant measurement scale. An exploratory-sequential mixed methods was employed to investigate and develop a context-specific scale of university students’ attitudes toward Philippine folk dances (A-PFD) in Region XII, Philippines. Using a non-probability purposive sampling technique, 22 participants were selected for the qualitative phase and engaged through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The interview transcripts were then used to develop items in Likert scale form to describe university students' A-PFD. In the quantitative survey phase, 265 university students from various universities in Region XII, Philippines, were surveyed. Through exploratory factor analysis (EFA), three factors were revealed: affective component, behavioral component, and cognitive component. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and additional fit indices indicated that this three-factor structure provided a superior and more parsimonious model. The final questionnaire, developed as an outcome of this study, comprised 31 items and demonstrated excellent reliability, as indicated by a high Cronbach's alpha coefficient. A descriptive survey also revealed a high level of A-PFD among university students in Region XII. However, it was revealed that there was no significant difference when grouped according to year level, sex, ethnicity, and course. Further, quantitative data results confirm qualitative data results. The developed A-PFD scale offers a valuable tool for educational institutions to assess and promote cultural engagement among students.