Psychometric characteristics of the Azerbaijan version of Medical Achievement Self-Efficacy Scale (MASS AZE)

Introduction : Self-efficacy is accepted as a mediator of behavioral change and has been shown to be related to achievement. Thus, self-efficacy is a vital variable in evaluating the overall curriculum. Methods : The MASS is an 18-item, five-point Likert-type scale. The minimum and maximum scores that can be obtained from the scale vary between 18–90 points. It was reported that Cronbach's alpha for the original form of the scale was 0.89, and item-total score correlations ranged between 0.39 and 0.64. The study was conducted with undergraduate military medical students at Azerbaijan Medical University (n = 250). A panel of experts translated the scale and then back-translated it. Cronbach alpha was calculated to determine the scale's reliability. Item-total correlation was calculated, and the scores of low-performing and high-performing groups were compared using a t-test. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the construct validity. Results : The original MASS based on the competency frameworks of CanMEDs and The Five Star Doctor indicated its content validity. The Azerbaijani form of the scale was examined by four experts for face validity and was found appropriate. The reliability of the scale was found to be high (Cronbach’s α = 0.95). Item-total correlation coefficients of the Turkish MASS ranged from 0.61 to 0.85. Lower and upper score groups were compared to indicate the discriminant validity. All items discriminated significantly between lowly and highly performing students. Factor analysis showed that the scale has a one-factor structure, which explains 56.26% of the variance. Factor loadings ranged from 0.59 to 0.84. Conclusions : The Azerbaijan adaptation of the MASS was found to be reliable and has construct validity.