Development and Validation of the Systems Thinking in Food and Agricultural Science Scale

Systems thinking is widely recognized as a foundational competency for solving complex problems in food and agricultural systems. However, existing studies lack validated, domain-specific instruments to evaluate learners’ systems thinking. This study addresses this gap by providing initial validity evidence for the Systems Thinking in Food and Agricultural Science (STFAS) scale with a four-stage design: (1) item generation from the literature and a 17-member expert panel, (2) content-validity review by 10 systems-thinking experts, (3) cognitive interviews with 8 representatives of the intended population, and (4) psychometric testing of the revised 23-item pool with a U.S. general-public sample (N = 993). The cleaned data were randomly split into two halves for exploratory (n = 495) and confirmatory (n = 498) factor analysis. Exploratory factor analysis supported a 15-item, two-factor solution: (1) Systems Structure and Dynamics (8 items) and (2) Systems Mindset and Interpretation (7 items). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable fit (CFI = 0.935; TLI = 0.924; RMSEA = 0.068; SRMR = 0.052) with strong internal consistency (α = 0.86 to 0.91). STFAS scores were positively associated with a domain-general systems thinking scale (convergent validity); the two factors were empirically distinct (discriminant validity), and scores were negatively associated with socially desirable responding, indicating no inflation by favorable self-presentation. The STFAS can support research on stakeholder decision-making in agri-food system transformation.