Approaches to Studying Inventory (ASSIST)
EducationReliability: alphas 0.71–0.84 across 3 approaches4 sample items
About this scale
A 52-item measure of three approaches to studying: deep, strategic, and surface. Foundational measure in higher-education research.
Sample item(s)
“I usually set out to understand for myself the meaning of what we have to learn (deep)”
“I work hard at my studies to do well (strategic)”
“Often I find myself questioning things I hear in lectures or read in books (deep)”
“I often have trouble making sense of the things I have to remember (surface)”
Reliability
Reported internal consistency: alphas 0.71–0.84 across 3 approaches. As a rule of thumb, Cronbach’s α ≥ .70 is considered acceptable, ≥ .80 good, and ≥ .90 excellent for established measures.
Notes
Foundational learning-approaches measure.
Source & citation
Tait, H., Entwistle, N. J., & McCune, V. (1998): ASSIST: A reconceptualisation of the Approaches to Studying Inventory. In C. Rust (Ed.), Improving student learning: Improving students as learners (pp. 262–271). Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development.
Source. Scale details are summarised from the publication cited above. Always consult the original source for the full item set, scoring, and permission to use.
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