Scale for Measuring Study Satisfaction in Higher Education

Kegel, L. S.; Bohndick, C.; Breetzke, J.; Janke, S.; Scheunemann, A.; Wenker, T.

Abstract

The present scale for measuring study satisfaction is based on The Satisfaction With Life Scale by Diener et al. (1985) and was adapted to the domain of studying in higher education. In two studies, the unidimensional German five-item scale showed good internal consistencies and good model fit. Strict measurement invariance was established for gender, study program, type of higher education institution, and across time. Evidence for the validity of the interpretation of test scores was gathered with satisfactory results. Overall, the scale can be recommended as a valid, reliable, and time-efficient instrument. Furthermore, we validated a three-item and a single-item measure to assess study satisfaction in surveys with severe time constraints. Both short measures have acceptable psychometric properties.