Toward a Validated Competence Scale for Social Work Evaluation in China

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a social work evaluation competence scale for social work program evaluation in China. Method: We generated dimensions and items through a thorough literature review, confirmed by experts, and indigenized by scholars and evaluation practitioners. The sample sourced from eight cities in China. We employed exploratory factor analysis to examine the preliminary structure of the scale ( N = 135) and confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, discriminant validity to examine validity ( N = 256). Results: Social work evaluation competence scale, consisting of six dimensions with 37 items, demonstrates good quality of internal consistency, satisfactory factorial validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and criterion validity. Discussion: The six-dimension social work evaluation competence scale is a reliable and valid instrument. It provides a quantitative basis for measuring the competences of social work program evaluators, and functions as a tool to guide competence training for social work program evaluators.