Abstract:

The credibility of a research project depends, to a large extent, on the objectivity and validity of its instruments, as well as the reliability of the results obtained. In view of the need to obtain results with these characteristics, the aim of this article is to determine the reliability of a questionnaire for the evaluation of the expectations and individual interest of students in the Expression and Communication module of the Higher Vocational Training Cycle in Early Childhood Education. The questionnaire, developed ad hoc and previously validated by experts, consists of 18 items divided into three dimensions related to expectations in the cycle and three other dimensions linked to individual interest in the module. The sample was made up of 44 students from the Bárbara de Braganza Secondary School in Badajoz. In order to achieve the objective, the data were subjected to a calculation of internal consistency using Cronbach's Alpha formula. The initial results in relation to the reliability of the data obtained in the application of the questionnaire are considered adequate, since the internal consistency of the responses to each item of the questionnaire from the index given by Cronbach's Alpha is 0.814. However, item 2 of the questionnaire shows a misaligned correlation downwards (0.074) and, although it does not significantly modify the overall reliability of the questionnaire, it is eliminated and a new calculation of internal consistency is carried out. As a result of this second calculation, a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.830 is obtained and it is observed that there are no mismatched correlations. This being the case, 17 items are finally established as the basis of the questionnaire. It is concluded that the data obtained with the questionnaire of expectations and individual interest in the Expression and Communication module of the Higher Vocational Training Cycle in Early Childhood Education are reliable and, therefore, represent the basis for legitimising a research that meets the standards of credibility adjusted to the demands of the scientific community in the field of psychopedagogy.

Keywords:

Expectations, individual interest, reliability, questionnaire.