Validation of the simulated version of 16PF questionnaire

Abstract

The paper presents three studies which are aimed at assessment of psychometric properties of the IPIP 16PF questionnaire. Study 1 was conducted on a sample of 447 participants. The results suggest acceptable reliability coefficients for most scales. Five higher-order factors were extracted, which are congruent, to a certain extent, with Cattell's factors. The largest differences occur in the field of interpersonal dimensions. In Study 2 correlations between the IPIP16PF scales and school grades (average grades and grades for several particular classes) were examined. The study was conducted on a sample of 222 secondary school graduates. The correlations were modest in general. Dutifulness (G), Sensitivity (I), Intellect (B), and Complexity (Q1) emerged as the strongest correlates of grades in several subjects. The results of Study 3 (conducted on a sample of 115 secondary school graduates) show that the IPIP16PF scales are significant predictors of emotional states (moods) in neutral and preexam situations. Emotional states were assessed using the STCI-S questionnaire. Predictive power of the IPIP16PF scales was greater in neutral than in pre-exam situation. Significant predictors of mood in neutral situation were Emotional Stability (C), Anxiety (O), Emotionality (Q4), and Complexity (Q1). In the pre-exam situation, the predictive power of these scales diminished, while Intellect (B), Introversion (Q2), and Assertiveness (E) appeared as significant predictors. The results of all three studies are in favour of the IPIP16PF’s applicability in psychological research, but also point to several flaws of the questionnaire.