Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a job-esteem scale that reflects the unique characteristics of academic librarians. The study conducted an analysis of relevant literature and existing scales in the scale development phase, followed by in-depth interviews with 10 academic librarians, resulting in the creation of 100 preliminary measurement items. These items underwent content validity testing, consultations with linguists, and face validity assessments, which culminated in the selection of 52 items for a preliminary measurement scale. A pilot survey was then administered with 300 academic librarians from four-year universities nationwide to collect data, and item analysis and reliability testing were performed with the data. Then, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted, resulting in the elimination of 22 items and the finalization of 30 items. The main survey was conducted with 345 academic librarians, and the study confirmed high reliability of the data through item analysis and internal consistency tests. Through another confirmatory factor analysis, the study finalized 29 items. The final scale met all criteria for convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity. This study marks the first development of a job-esteem scale tailored to the distinct attributes of academic librarians, and its significance lies in its utility for assessing and analyzing the job esteem of academic librarians.