New approaches in education and health sciences management

New approaches in education and health sciences management

Design, Validation, and Reliability Assessment of the Short Form of the Psychological Educational Profile -Third Edition (PEP-3)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mehdi Fouladgar 1
Parisa Tajali 2
Tahereh Binaei Khajekini 2
1 Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, CT.C., Is-lamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, CT.C., Is-lamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/edus.2026.578773.1087
Abstract
Background and Purpose: By using psychometric methods to confirm the factor structure, analyze items based on factor loadings and correlations with the total score, and examine convergent validity with external criteria, it is possible to develop a shortened version of a questionnaire that, while significantly reducing administration time, maintains strong construct validity, expert-confirmed content validity, and acceptable internal consistency. Therefore, the present study aimed to design, validate, and determine the reliability of a shortened form of the Third Edition Psychoeducational Profile (PEP 3) for Iranian children with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods: This study employed a descriptive psychometric research design. The statistical population consisted of all children aged 2 to 7 years with autism spectrum disorder who were referred to autism centers in Isfahan in 2024. Among them, 310 participants were selected using convenience sampling. The research instruments included the Psychoeducational Profile – Third Edition (Schopler et al., 2005) and the Vineland Social Maturity Scale (Doll, 1953). Face and content validity were evaluated using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR). Construct validity was assessed through exploratory factor analysis, convergent validity via correlation with the Vineland Social Maturity Scale, and reliability using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.

Results: The results of exploratory factor analysis using Varimax orthogonal rotation identified ten independent factors that together explained 71.209% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the subscales ranged from 0.77 to 0.94, and the coefficient for the total scale was 0.91.

Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the shortened form of the PEP 3 is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the psychoeducational characteristics of children aged 2 to 7 years with autism spectrum disorder. It can be effectively used by specialists in educational and clinical settings.
Keywords
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Psychoeducational Profile Third Edition (PEP 3)
Validity
Reliability

Ethics Approval ID: IR.IAU.CTB.REC.1404.012

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New approaches in education and health sciences management
Volume 3, Issue 1
April 2026
Spring 2026
Pages 97-109

  • Receive Date 28 February 2026
  • Revise Date 14 April 2026
  • Accept Date 02 May 2026