Content Validity of Dyadic Discernment Scales Using Content Validity Ratio (CVR) Lawshe’s Method

This study aimed to examine the content validity of Dyadic Discernment Scale (DDS) among young spouses in marital conflict using content validity ratio (CVR) methods. The constructs of DDS are based on al-Ghazali maqasid as-shariah theory; (i) hierarchy needs of a) survival needs (Ad-daruriyat) (b) essential needs (Al-Hajiyyat) and (c) enrichment needs (At-Tahsiniyyat) (ii) beneficent (maslahah) vs maleficent (mafsadah), (iii) specific beneficent (maslahah khasah) vs general beneficent (maslahah ammah). Eleven experts selected via purposive sampling to evaluate the content of DDS. Five professional university experts in psychometrics, family counselling and Islamic counselling, six marital and family counsellors from department of Islamic religion in Malaysia were consulted. The instrument content validity process involved 86 items from three constructs and thirteen sub-constructs. The results showed that the instrument has a good content validity with 81 items reaching the cut-off CVR critical value (N = 11, CVR critical = .59). five items that did not meet the minimum CVR value will be purged and purified at the final stage of instrument validation process. The qualitative findings of the study indicated that the instrument was appropriate and relevant, thus had the potential to be a good instrument for measuring dyadic discernment among young couples who are in marital conflict on either to choose (i) maintain status quo (ii) divorce or (iii) reconcile. Further study is proposed to conduct i) item reliability test, ii) exploratory factor analysis and iii) confirmatory factor analysis for construct validity.