Education; *Scores; *Self Evaluation (Individuals); *Test Construction; Test Reliability IDENTIFIERS *Exploratory Factor Analysis; *Home and Family

The development of the Home and Family Questionnaire (HFQ) is described and exploratory factor analyses and initial reliability studies are reported. The HFQ, which incorporates many of the items from the HOME Observation Inventory for Elementary School Children developed by B. M. Caldwell and R. H. Bradley (1984), evaluates home setting and home process. The HFQ uses a self-administered questionnaire format that may be administered through the mail or in the experimenter's laboratory. In addition, the HFQ addresses the lack of congruence with ecological systems theory of the HOME instrument. Fifty families of third graders participated in the initial stages of instrument development. Reliability estimates were calculated for scores obtained in each of two presentation modes, and exploratory factor analyses were conducted on individual item scores. Reliability was higher (Cronbach's alpha of 0.79) with laboratory administration. The factor solution remained ambiguous, but trends consistent with the hypothesized subscales were observed. Four tables illustrated study findings. (Contains eight references.) (SLD) AAA:.;,AA.AAAAAA.******** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the criginal document