Construct validity: Basic Psychological Needs Scale for Teachers

Abstract

Teacher autonomy encompasses pedagogical activities oriented towards planning, instruction, and assessment, as well as administrative tasks required by the education system. Therefore, it is imperative to focus research on teacher autonomy in specific tasks, using data collection procedures suitable to the context. In this study, the aim is to validate an original scale for collecting data on teacher autonomy in classroom settings under criteria established by Self-Determination Theory, in the framework of basic psychological needs. The method comprises a nonexperimental quantitative design, using a random cluster sample that is understood as a probability sampling because participant teachers only work in primary education levels. Results demonstrate that the scale possesses a strong degree of robustness regarding construction, application, and data collection. In conclusion, the validated scale identifies teacher autonomy as an explanatory variable in the model.