Abstract

ZERPA, Carlos E  and  RAMIREZ, Jorge J.. A moral development measuring instrument for university students: Defining Issues Test (DIT). Rev. Ped [online]. 2004, vol.25, n.74, pp.427-450. ISSN 0798-9792.

The article presents the analysis of some of the psychometric properties of the Defining Issues Test (DIT), which was adapted to be applied to Venezuelan university students. The DIT evaluates the moral reasoning or judgement level of moral problems in favour of a particular behaviour pattern and the reasoning it sustains according to Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory. The research sample was conformed by 168 university students of engineering in two venezuelan universities (Universidad Central de Venezuela and Universidad Simón Bolivar), 49 females and 119 males, between 17 and 28 years old (age average 19.9). The results show a reliability Cronbach alpha coefficient of .71 and a Pearson coefficient of reliability test-retest of .65. The results suggest a medium level internal consistency of the DIT, which shows to be a reliable instrument to measure the level of moral development in university students. Additionally, some implications and theoretical considerations about moral development are discussed.

Keywords : Moral development; moral reasoning; Defining Issues Test.