Abstract

Construction and Validation of Speech Communication Competence Scale Measured by Observers

Hae­Soon Jang / Visiting Professor,
Graduate School of Journalism & Communication, Kyung Hee University

Gyeong­Ho Hur / Associate Professor,
School of Journalism & Communication, Kyung Hee University

The current study attempted to construct and validate a speech communication competence scale in order for a teacher to able to utilize the scale for evaluating and advising her/his students speech performance. After having identifying core speech communication competence elements such as visual, vocal, and verbal from the previous literature, we constructed a scale consisted of a total of 20 statements. Three observers evaluated and measured each of a total of 207 students¡¯ first speech on the scale by reviewing the previously videotaped speeches.

A factor analysis showed that two salient factor structures were emerged with the visual and vocal elements being collapsed into one. We named these the nonverbal expressive competence and the verbal expressive competence respectively. The overall similarity of the factor structure between the resulting one and preliminary one also indicated the construct validity of the scale. In addition, we examined how these two sub-constructs are related with other criterion variables such as interpersonal communication competence, communication apprehension, credibility, self-perceived communication competence, and fear of negative evaluation. Results confirmed the concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity of the scale. Lastly, the limitations of the current study, and suggestions and implications for using the scale for future studies were discussed.

Key words : Observer Measurement, Speech Communication Competence scale, Verbal, Nonverbal, Visual Expressive Competence, Construct validity, Concurrent Valicity, Convergent Validity, Discriminant Validity