The development of dance attitude scales

This research report describes the development of dance attitude scales which were 'grounded' in the opinions of groups of 11-16-year-old pupils in six schools throughout England. Factor analyses involving an initial sample of 368 male and female secondary school pupils produced four embryonic scales which were then tested with a sample of 1,668 adolescents. Satisfactory internal reliability coefficients were achieved and scale intercorrelations provided evidence of the scales as distinct measures. Further analyses undertaken to test validity employing data from the larger sample indicated that two of the proposed scales, Ballet and Male Dancers, may be valid measures of attitude, although less confidence can be placed in the third and fourth scales. Suggestions are made for the development and application of the inventory.