Psychometric integrity of the LibQUAL+® dimensions in university library in Assam, India: a confirmatory factor analysis using lavaan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the validity and reliability of the scores of the LibQUAL® instrument in a university library in Assam, India. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted the paper version of the LibQUAL+® original 22 core items plus 3 additional items on satisfaction to assess the psychometric integrity of the scores in the University library of Gauhati University, Assam, India. Confirmatory factor analysis was run with a sample dataset of 480 responses separately for the 22-item core model of LibQUAL+® with 3 constructs and the core model plus satisfaction construct with 3 items. Fit indices extracted using the lavaan package of R were compared with the recommended threshold values of validity and reliability. Findings All the scores of measurement model validity and reliability of the original LibQUAL+® model, and the model with the satisfaction dimension achieved the recommended threshold values. However, the goodness-of-fit indices marginally fell below the suggested threshold values, and higher deviation was observed in the model with the satisfaction dimension. The findings exhibited poor psychometric integrity of the scores in the studied university library environment. Practical implications The study unfolds the scope for further investigation towards identifying measurement items and factor structures that aptly represent the psychometric dimensions of the users of the university libraries in India and other developing countries. Originality/value This study is the first of its kind to examine the psychometric integrity of the perceived scores of the LibQUAL+® instrument in a university library in India.