Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Internal Validity and Reliability of Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory Version 3 (1999)

  • Published:
Journal of Business and Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study explores the internal validity and reliability of Kolb’s revised Learning Style Inventory (LSI-2A and LSI-3) in a sample of 221 graduate and undergraduate business students. Research on the LSI is also reviewed and the implications of conducting factor analysis using ipsative data are explored. Experiential Learning Theory is presented and the concept of learning styles explained. This study largely supports prior research supporting the internal reliability of scales. Principle Component Analysis provides evidence for a 2 factor structure as hypothesized by Kolb.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • J. Aitchison (1986) The statistical analysis of compositional data Chapman and Hall London

    Google Scholar 

  • D. T. Campbell D. W. Fiske (1959) ArticleTitleConvergent and disciminant validation by the multitrait-multimethod matrix Psychological Bulletin 56 81–105 Occurrence Handle13634291

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • W. Chan (2003) ArticleTitleAnalyzing ipsative data in psychological research Behaviormetrika 30 IssueID1 99–121 Occurrence Handle10.2333/bhmk.30.99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. M. Cornwell P. A. Manfredo W. P. Dunlap (1991) ArticleTitleFactor analysis of the 1985 revision of Kolb’s learning style inventory Educational and Psychological Measurement 51 455–462

    Google Scholar 

  • W. P. Dunlap J. M. Cornwell (1994) ArticleTitleFactor analysis of ipsative measures Multivariate Behavioral Research 29 115–126

    Google Scholar 

  • R. D. Freedman S. A. Stumpf (1978) ArticleTitleWhat can one learn from the learning style inventory? Academy of Management Journal 21 IssueID2 275–282

    Google Scholar 

  • M. A. Geiger E. J. Boyle J. Pinto (1993) ArticleTitleA factor analysis of Kolb’s revised learning style inventory Educational and Psychological Measurement 52 753–759

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Greer W. P. Dunlap (1997) ArticleTitleAnalysis of variance with Ipsative measures Psychological Methods 2 200–207 Occurrence Handle10.1037/1082-989X.2.2.200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • L. E Hicks (1970) ArticleTitleSome properties of ipsative, normative, and forced-choice normative measures Psychological bulletin 74 167–184

    Google Scholar 

  • D. A. Kolb (1984) Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development Prentice-Hall Englewood Cliffs, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • D. A. Kolb (1985) Learning style inventory., version 2 The McBer Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • D. A. Kolb (1996) Learning style inventory., version 2A Hay-McBer Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • D. A. Kolb (1999) Learning style inventory., version 3 The Hay Group Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Loo (1996) ArticleTitleConstruct validity and classification stability of the revised learning style inventory (LSI-1985) Educational and Psychological Measurement 56 529–536

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Loo (1999a) ArticleTitleIssues in factor-analyzing ipsative measures: The learning style inventory (LSI-1985) example Journal of Business and Psychology 14(Fall) 149–154 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1022918803653

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. Loo (1999b) ArticleTitleConfirmatory factor analysis of Kolb’s learning style inventory (LSI-1985) British Journal of Educational Psychology 69 213–219 Occurrence Handle10.1348/000709999157680

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C. Mainemelis R. E. Boyatzis D. A. Kolb (2002) ArticleTitleLearning style and adaptive flexibility: Testing experience learning theory Management Learning 33 5–34

    Google Scholar 

  • J. S. Osland D. A. Kolb I. M. Rubin (2001) Organizational behavior: An experiential approach Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • T. L. Ruble D. E. Stout (1991) ArticleTitleReliability, classification stability, and response-set bias of alternative forms of the learning-style inventory (LSI-1985) Educational and Psychological Measurement 51 481–489

    Google Scholar 

  • J. G. Veres R. R. Sims T. S. Locklear (1991) ArticleTitleImproving the reliability of Kolb’s revised learning style inventory Educational and Psychological Measurement 51 143–150

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Willcoxson M. Prosser (1996) ArticleTitleKolb’s learning style inventory (1985): Review and further study of validity and reliability British Journal of Educational Psychology 66 247–257

    Google Scholar 

  • I. Yahya (1998) ArticleTitleWillcoxson and Prosser’s factor analyses on Kolb’s (1985) LSI data: reflections and re-analyses British Journal of Educational Psychology 68 281–286

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management Science, School of Business and Public Management, The George Washington University, 2115 G Street NW, Suite 403, Washington, DC, 20052, USA

    D. Christopher Kayes

Authors
  1. D. Christopher Kayes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kayes, D.C. Internal Validity and Reliability of Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory Version 3 (1999). J Bus Psychol 20, 249–257 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-005-8262-4

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-005-8262-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation