Construct validity of independent and dignified character scale for university students in Indonesia

Student independence and dignity are educational ideals that enable them to face life challenges, be resilient, and achieve their well-being. The independence and dignity of students are worldwide concerns, and this is not just the case in Indonesia. A common problem faced by many universities in Indonesia is the lack of standardized and validated instruments for effectively assessing student character development. This limitation impedes the ability to track progress, mapping improvement needs and reflecting on success value-based education programs. This weakness must be addressed to enable the successful implementation of character development initiatives. This study aimed to develop a construct-valid instrument for measuring student Independence and Dignity, specifically in higher education in Indonesia. The measurement construct consists of four main dimensions: respect, trust, resilience, and innovation. The total number of items presented in the blueprint instrument is 76, that combines the core values of student independence and dignity. This study used RASCH analysis to examine the items and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to determine the validity and reliability of the construct. The research data were obtained from 245 samples. The results of this study successfully validated and confirmed the reliability of the construct of the student independence and dignity instrument. Rasch's analysis showed good validity; the instrument required the removal of 16 invalid items, yielding 60 valid and reliable items. Meanwhile, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results revealed a fairly good overall fit, although some indicators show potential for improvement. The findings suggest that the instrument be used on a larger scale, particularly in universities focused on implementing Value-based education.