Computerized and paper-and-pencil versions of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale: A comparison of psychometric features and respondent preferences

Although the use of computerized assessment tools in educational and psycho logical settings has increased dramatically in recent years, limited inform ation is available about the properties of computerized self-concept measur es. The authors evaluated the characteristics of computerized and paper-and -pencil versions of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES)-one of the most w idely used self-concept measures in educational and psychological research. Results showed that administration mode (computerized versus paper and pen cil) had little effect on the psychometric properties of the SES (i.e., sco re magnitude, variability, and factor structure) but that the computerized version took longer and was preferred by examinees. With the exception of a dministration time, these results support the use of the computerized SES a nd its comparability to the paper-and-pencil version.