As with all fields of social sciences, open and distance learning studies frequently use self-reports in their collection of data. Similarly, as with all measurement tools, proof of construct validity through statistical processes is important for testing hypotheses based on the findings, making decisions, and essentially ensuring the tools and methods used are fit for purpose. During construct validity testing processes, the reporting of findings regarding measurement invariance of a scale is an important element that is often neglected. This study aims to portray the longitudinal invariance of the Social Presence Scale (Cakmak, Cebi & Kan, 2014), which is frequently used to determine the social presence in open and distance learning environments research and has confirmed construct validity in the literature, through repeated measurements obtained in an experimental study. This research was conducted on 280 learners in a 3-month interval. The data gathered was analyzed for measurement invariance using the Mplus 7.0 software package in accordance with the four stages described in the literature. The measurement invariance tested in each stage were studied for ΔCFI, and ΔRMSEA values in addition to likelihood chi-square. The findings indicate the conditions required for measurement invariance in each stage, or in other words, the longitudinal invariance of the scale was achieved. The findings of this study may provide a precedent for similar studies in the future.

中文翻译：

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面向开放远程学习环境的社会存在量表的纵向测量差异分析

与社会科学的所有领域一样，开放和远程学习研究经常在数据收集中使用自我报告。类似地，与所有度量工具一样，通过统计过程证明构造有效性对于根据发现结果检验假设，做出决策以及从根本上确保所使用的工具和方法适合目的而言也很重要。在构造有效性测试过程中，关于量表不变性的调查结果报告是一个经常被忽略的重要因素。这项研究旨在描绘社会存在量表的纵向不变性（Cakmak，Cebi＆Kan，2014年），该量表常用于确定开放和远程学习环境研究中的社会存在，并在文献中证实了构造的正确性，通过在实验研究中获得的重复测量结果。这项研究在3个月的间隔内对280名学习者进行了研究。根据文献中所述的四个阶段，使用Mplus 7.0软件包对收集的数据进行了测量不变性分析。除了似然卡方，还研究了每个阶段测试的测量不变性，包括ΔCFI和ΔRMSEA值。这些发现表明了每个阶段中测量不变性所需的条件，换言之，实现了标尺的纵向不变性。这项研究的结果可能为将来进行类似研究提供先例。0软件包按照文献中描述的四个阶段进行。除了似然卡方，还研究了每个阶段测试的测量不变性，包括ΔCFI和ΔRMSEA值。这些发现表明了每个阶段中测量不变性所需的条件，换言之，实现了标尺的纵向不变性。这项研究的结果可能为将来进行类似研究提供先例。0软件包按照文献中描述的四个阶段进行。除了似然卡方，还研究了每个阶段测试的测量不变性，包括ΔCFI和ΔRMSEA值。这些发现表明了每个阶段中测量不变性所需的条件，换言之，实现了标尺的纵向不变性。这项研究的结果可能为将来进行类似研究提供先例。