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Article
Group differences and measurement equivalence: Implications for command climate survey research and practice
Military Psychology (2006)
  • Erich C. Dierdorff, DePaul University
  • Eric A. Surface
  • Adam W. Meade
  • Lori Foster Thompson
  • Don L. Martin
Abstract
Military organizations use survey methodology to assess attitudes related to command climate. Many commands are staffed with both military and civilian personnel. However, no previous research has examined the equivalence of a command climate survey’s measurement properties across these types of personnel. Differences in the personnel systems and organizational socialization could lead to different views of various facets of a command climate survey, making direct comparisons or aggregations of group-level data inappropriate. Furthermore, men and women may also view aspects of command climate surveys differently. Using two administrations of a command climate survey in a U.S. Major Army Command, our findings reveal only small differences between male and female samples. More notable differences existed between military and civilian personnel. Nevertheless, the measurement equivalence demonstrated for both male–female and military–civilian comparisons was adequate to justify cross-group comparisons and aggregation of survey responses.
Publication Date
2006
Citation Information
Erich C. Dierdorff, Eric A. Surface, Adam W. Meade, Lori Foster Thompson, et al.. "Group differences and measurement equivalence: Implications for command climate survey research and practice" Military Psychology Vol. 18 (2006)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/erich_dierdorff/3/