Using construct operationalisation as Delphi first-round technique to determine items for self-monitoring (Muraqabah) intervention during the pre-sea training among marine students in Malaysia

Abstract

Delphi method is a technique used by researchers to reach the consensus of experts in several rounds above items or particular matters which a study is concerned. The number of rounds is determined by the researchers as the rounds end when consensus of opinions is achieved. Researchers have different approach to begin the first-round Delphi. This study aims to discuss the selection of construct operationalisation to develop the first round Delphi in selecting items to measure students' self-regulatory practice as an effort to succeed the pre-sea training. This study has selected Imam al-Ghazali's writing on muraqabah and the study of McCullough and Willoughby on religious practices which enhanced the practice of self-regulation, as the foundation to develop the framework of this research. Other related literatures, including Self-regulation Questionnaire (SRQ) developed by Brown, Miller, and Lawendowski (1999) were also referred to look for items which would support the development of the framework. Then, construct operationalisation was conducted, which run in four phases: 1) identifying concept related to the research, 2) redefining the concept, 3) concept was transformed into empirical indicators and sent to the experts, and 4) explaining the procedure on how the indicators can be used. The study found that the concept of muraqabah, and their elements should be applied within the theory of self-regulation. 51 items were identified and transformed into empirical indicators in the form of survey and sent to ten panel of experts for second-round Delphi. This research has offered another technique of approaching the first-round Delphi which consumes lesser time, cost and energy, than the open-ended survey in classical Delphi and another two techniques in modified Delphi which are the face-to-face and the focus-group interview. It is a hope that the finding and step-by-step procedure showed in this article will help other researches to conduct Delphi method in the future.