A retrospective statistical evaluation of an instrument for discovering parental perspectives on learner discipline

In this article we report on a theoretical-statistical investigation into the validity and reliability of a self-developed questionnaire for discovering the perspectives of parents in 2 South African provinces regarding the discipline of their children, both at home and in school. The questionnaire was developed because of a paucity of information concerning this perspective on child or learner discipline. The statistical procedure to which the questionnaire was subjected revealed that the validity of all the sections of the questionnaire was satisfactory, but not the reliability of most parts thereof. Only 1 reliable subscale emerged in the process. Despite this, the information gleaned by means of the individual items of the questionnaire remains useful for understanding the parents’ perspectives on learner discipline.