Abstract

This study was conducted to develop and verify the validity of a university student success scale. To develop the scale, first, preliminary questions were developed after conducting research on college students’ perceptions of success, a literature review, and expert interviews. Accordingly, 145 items for 6 factors were developted. Second, a preliminary survey was conducted on 301 college students to analyze the preliminary questions’ factors. As a result of exploratory factor analysis, 48 items for all 6 factors were selected. Third, the cross-validation of the extracted items was verified and the construct validity, convergent validity, and criterion-related validity were verified by conducting a survey on 609 college students. Thriving Quotient analysis, which is a growth index, and correlation analysis were conducted to verify the items’ convergent validity. To verify the items’ validity, a correlation analysis was conducted with the respondents’ GPA from the preceding semester, career decisions, and subjective happiness and the degree to which they had adapted to college life. As a result of the final analysis, 26 questions were selected for all 6 factors. The finally derived factors and questions were ‘Setting a life goal (5 questions)’, ‘Career development (4 questions)’, ‘Initiative study (5 questions)’, ‘Improvement of interpersonal relationships (5 questions)’, ‘Mature citizenship (3 questions)’ and ‘Self-growth (4 questions)’. The student success scale and thriving quotient were statistically significantly correlated. Criterion-related validity analysis was conducted to identify all statistically significant results, indicating the scale’s validity. This paper discusses this study’s significance and limitations, how the scale developted in this study is different from other student success instruments, its academic and practical significance, and directions for future research.