Psychometric properties of an instrument of reasons for admission to university careers in health sciences

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to analyze the validity and reliability of the instrument called “Reasons for Admission to Careers in Health Sciences (MICCS) (acronym in Spanish)”. The study was developed with a non-probabilistic and incidental sample of 194 students from a higher education institution in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. After reviewing the contenty validity by expert judges, an exploratory factor analysis was executed (principal components method and Varimax rotation). Seven dimensions were defined under the critery of theoretical position and inflection of the curve of sedimentation. The indexes of KMO (0.788) and Bartlett (X (990) = 2916.36, p=0.000) reported an appropriate model. Items with theoretical inconsistencies and saturations under of 0.4 were eliminated. Its internal consistency was acceptable (α=0.834). The final version of the instrument consisted of 30 items and six independent factors, showing satisfactory psychometric properties. Finally were contrasted the reasons for entering careers in medicine, nursing, nutrition and dentistry to the variables of sex, vocational orientation and type of school. It is proposed to extend the investigation of reasons for entering science careers health by using the scale in public and private institutions of higher education; In addition, it is recommended to analyze the relationship of the reasons for admission and psychosocial variables such as academic performance, lag, desertion, satisfaction and academic stress.

Keywords

• psicometría
• motivación
• condiciones de admisión
• carrera
• salud
• estudiante