Development and Validation of the Strategy Inventory for Electronic Dictionary Use (S.I.E.D.U.)

Abstract

The present paper reports results regarding the development and validation of the S.I.E.D.U., an electronic instrument for assessing users' skills in electronic dictionary searches. The S.I.η.D.U. is a self-report questionnaire with 32 Likert-type items and its content development was based on a review of relevant literature, expert review and pilot testing. The scale's construct validity is assessed by means of a preliminary exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results suggest a correlated four-factor structure: 1) familiarity with different types of electronic dictionaries and the conditions of their use; 2) strategies for lemmatization and acquaintance with dictionary conventions; 3) navigation skills; and 4) look-up strategies in new electronic environments. Internal consistency reliability of the four subscales is high and test-retest reliability is excellent. Also, the ability of the instrument to discriminate between experts and non-experts in electronic dictionary use is demonstrated. Results are discussed and implications are provided in the context of electronic lexicography.