Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
12-13-2026
Year of Publication
2024
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College
Education
Department/School/Program
Special Education
Advisor
Dr. Kera Ackerman
Abstract
Questionnaires are commonly used to capture stakeholder experiences and perceptions of paraeducator assignment practices. Unfortunately, many existing questionnaires lack rigorous development and essential psychometric properties. Additionally, they frequently focus on single aspects of the construct within a small sample or geographic area. These limitations impact the validity, reliability, utility, and generalizability of findings needed to understand paraeducator assignment practices in special education. This sequential exploratory mixed methods study employed systematic procedures for questionnaire design outlined by Artino and colleagues (2014), including (1) a literature review, (2) a focus group, (3) a synthesis and comparative analysis of the literature review, and focus group, (4) questionnaire design and development of items, and (5) ratings and feedback through expert judgment to design, develop, and validate a questionnaire to examine special educators' experiences and perceptions of paraeducator assignment practices. This study's extensive focus on systematic construction, careful attention to validity, and iterative assessment at various stages of questionnaire development set a new standard for ensuring the highest quality of instrument development in paraeducator scholarship. Results across all qualitative and quantitative indicators showed that the designed questionnaire is a comprehensive and implementable instrument, demonstrating appropriate validity. Future implications and research are discussed.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2024.494
Recommended Citation
Wright, Enrika, "THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND VALIDATION OF A QUESTIONNAIRE TO EXAMINE SPECIAL EDUCATORS' EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS OF PARAEDUCATOR ASSIGNMENT PRACTICES" (2024). Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education. 161.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/edsrc_etds/161
