Construction and Validation of the Postgraduate Research Innovation Ability Scale (PRIAS): A Three-Dimensional Structural Model Based on Componential Theory of Creativity

PURPOSE: To explore the structure of postgraduate research innovation ability and verify the Postgraduate Research Innovation Ability Scale. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was based on the componential theory of creativity. First, we drafted an item pool from the literature review, semi-structured interviews, and group discussions. A total of 125 postgraduates were selected for the pre-test. After item selection and exploratory factor analysis, an 11-item, 3-factor postgraduate research innovation ability scale was formed. The scale was applied to a sample of 330 postgraduates from various domestic universities. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to examine the factor structure of the scales. RESULTS: The results support a three-factor model including creativity-relevant processes, domain-relevant skills, and intrinsic motivation for the Postgraduate Research Innovation Ability Scale. The scale showed good internal consistency (α =0.89) and test-retest reliability (r=0.86). Exploratory factor analysis showed that the KMO value was 0.87, and the Bartlett’s sphericity test results were significant. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the three-factor construct demonstrated a good model fit (χ2/df=1.945, GFI=0.916, CFI=0.950, RMSEA=0.076). CONCLUSION: The Postgraduate Research Innovation Ability Scale has good reliability and validity, and it can be used for future research in related fields.