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Incivility Indicators Instrument (i3): Development and Initial Validation

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Abstract

Academic incivility can create divisiveness and affect learners’ sustainability towards degree attainment. Therefore, there is a need to empirically assess learner views on what constitutes academic incivility in higher education. To fill this gap, we developed the Incivility Indicators Instrument (i3), a multifaceted scale that measures the extent to which students view cumulative behaviors and dynamics as instances of academic incivility. To examine the reliability and factor structure of the i3, we conducted a two-part study with two samples of adults in the United States who were enrolled in higher education programs. In study 1 (N = 342), we conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and found the initial three-factor structure. In study 2, we administered the instrument to a validating sample (N = 510) and examined the stability of the three-factor model and scores through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In this study, we describe the results of the study, provide implications, and discuss future directions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Learning Sciences and Educational Research, University of Central Florida, 4000 University Blvd, Orlando, FL, 32816-1650, USA

    Laurie O. Campbell

  2. Department of Counselor Education and School Psychology, University of Central Florida, 4000 University Blvd, Orlando, FL, 32816-1650, USA

    Caitlin Frawley

  3. Department of Counseling, Nova Southeastern, 3301 College Avenue, Orlando, FL, 33314, USA

    Jessica L. Tinstman Jones

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  1. Laurie O. Campbell
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  2. Caitlin Frawley
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  3. Jessica L. Tinstman Jones
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Correspondence to Laurie O. Campbell.

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Campbell, L.O., Frawley, C. & Tinstman Jones, J.L. Incivility Indicators Instrument (i3): Development and Initial Validation. J Acad Ethics 21, 669–684 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-023-09477-5

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