Assessing Writing Apr 2021 Open Access

Development and validation of the Situated Academic Writing Self-Efficacy Scale (SAWSES)

Kim M. Mitchell ; Diana E. McMillan Health Sciences Centre ; Michelle M. Lobchuk ; Nathan C. Nickel ; Rasheda Rabbani George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation ; Johnson Li University of Manitoba

Abstract

Existing writing self-efficacy instruments have assessed the concept through mechanical and process features of writing to the neglect of the influence of situated context. The purpose of this study was to develop and test the Situated Academic Writing Self-Efficacy Scale (SAWSES) based on Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and a model of socially constructed writing. A sequential multimethod approach constituted the methods. A Delphi panel of 15 expert scholars conducted a theoretical evaluation of the scale and the items were piloted with 20 nursing undergraduate students using cognitive interviews. The scale was validated in two studies with independent samples of 255 nursing students (Study 1), and in an interdisciplinary sample of undergraduate (N = 543) and graduate students (N = 264) (Study 2). The three identified factors present a structure to the questionnaire which is developmental and has the potential to detect gaps in student self-assessed ability to master various facets of disciplinary writing: 1) Writing-Essentials – synthesis, emotional control, language; 2) Relational-Reflective – relationship building with writing facilitators (teachers, academic sources) and the self through reflection; and 3) Creative Identity – exploring gaps in student achievement of transformative writing (creativity, voice, and disciplinary identity), where confidence can help identify the most engaged writers.

Journal
Assessing Writing
Published
2021-04-01
DOI
10.1016/j.asw.2021.100524
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Topics
graduate education assessment
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

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  3. Doenyas et al. (2023)
    A non-Western adaptation of the Situated Academic Writing Self-Efficacy Scale (…
    Assessing Writing

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CrossRef global citation count: 37 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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