Beyond Translation: Cross-Language Measurement Invariance of the Statistics Anxiety Rating Scale (STARS)

<p>The Statistics Anxiety Rating Scale (STARS) is used internationally to assess statistics anxiety, but whether scores are comparable across language versions has not been established. This study examined the measurement invariance of the STARS across 10 language groups using data from the international SMARVUS project. The three-factor model comprising Test and Class Anxiety, Interpretation Anxiety, and Fear of Asking for Help was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multi-group analyses of configural, metric, and threshold (scalar) invariance. The CFA indicated good comparative fit across language groups, although approximate fit varied somewhat between groups. Despite some variation in item-level response patterns, the measurement invariance analyses provided evidence consistent with configural, metric, and threshold invariance, with no meaningful deterioration in fit as equality constraints were imposed. These findings support the comparison of latent STARS factor means across the 10 languages examined and provide a stronger basis for its use in multilingual and cross-national research on statistics anxiety.</p>