The Development and Validation of the Information Seeking Anxiety Scale

This study aimed to develop and validate the Information Seeking Anxiety Scale. Two pilot studies were undertaken for the development of the instrument. 550 postgraduate students completed a pilot questionnaire consisting of a 93-item Likert-type scale at the University of Malaya. In an attempt to assess the construct validity of the scale، an Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed. Using a Varimax rotation and criteria of 0. 4 or greater for deeming a factor loading practically significant، the factor analysis yielded 6 interpretable factors with 47 items. The 6 factors collectively explained % 35. 73 of the total variance in Information Seeking Anxiety Scale. Reliability analysis using Cronbach’s Alpha indicates a coefficient of 0. 902 for total scale which shows an adequate internal consistency reliability. According to the results، Information Seeking Anxiety Scale is a valid and reliable instrument and may be used in future studies to measure information seeking anxiety of postgraduate students.