Affiliations: Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus,
Technische Universität Dresden, Medizinische Psychologie, Fetscherstr. 74,
01307 Dresden. | Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus,
Technische Universität Dresden, Institut für Klinische Genetik,
Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden.
Note: [] Korrespondenzadresse: Dipl.-Psych. Hendrik Berth,
Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität
Dresden, Medizinische Psychologie, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden. Tel.: 0351
458 4028; Fax: 0351 458 5526; E-mail: berth@inhaltsanalyse.de
Abstract: The Genetische Wissensindex (GeWi) is a German questionnaire for the
assessment of general knowledge about genetics based on an American test
instrument, the GKI. We modified the original instrument and constructed
additional items in order to improve its psychometric properties. The scale
consists of 12 items in a true-false format. So far, 578 individuals (students,
patients, general population) filled in the questionnaire. An analysis of the
psychometric properties reveals a satisfying distribution of item statistics
and a retest-reliability of r_{tt} = 0,77. Associations with
other scales that measure similar constructs indicate a satisfactory concurrent
validity. Furthermore, the GeWi discriminates between samples characterized by
previously known differences in levels of genetic knowledge, e.g. students and
the general population. We recommend the scale for research and educational
settings.
