Abstract
M.Comm.
With the introduction of technology, the use of computerised assessments has increased dramatically in recent years. The goal of the present study was to investigate the factor analytic equivalence of the paper-based and computerised forms of a personality scale in development. The personality scale measured the construct of Soft-heartedness, whose constituents are three facets, namely, generosity, compassion and appreciation. Data were collected amongst students at two South African tertiary institutions (paper-based: n=364; computerised: n=359). The scores obtained from the paper-based assessment were compared to the scores from the online assessment using unrestricted factor analysis. The results showed that the mode of administration had little effect on the factor structure and reliability of the scale. It was concluded that the two modes of administration tap into equivalent psychological constructs. However, the computerised version consistently outperformed its paper-based counterpart, therefore implying that the former may be a more suitable option for administration.