Initial development of the Dance Imagery Questionnaire for Children (DIQ-C): establishing content validity

Abstract Given the differences between young dancers’ and adult dancers’ use of imagery, a valid and reliable questionnaire specific to young dancers was necessary. The current study is the first phase of a multi-phase study in the development of the Dance Imagery Questionnaire for Children (DIQ-C). Specifically, the purpose of this study was to establish content validity of the DIQ-C. This was achieved through the following three stages: (1) definition, item, and scale development, (2) assessment of item clarity and appropriateness via cognitive interviews, and (3) assessment of item-content relevance via an expert rating panel. Guided by previous qualitative research with young dancers, 46 items representing seven subscales (i.e., imagery types) were developed. The initial item pool was then implemented during cognitive interviews with 16 dancers (15 females; M age =10.63, SD=1.82), which led to the removal of 13 items and the modification of 21 items. Consequently, the revised 33-item pool was then administered to an expert panel of four imagery researchers and four dance instructors to measure item-content relevance. This resulted in the removal of eight items, the revision of four items, and the merging of two subscales. Overall, the current study provides content validity evidence for a 25-item pool (representing five subscales) to be used in further development of the DIQ-C (i.e., identifying and establishing factor structure).