Time management/Dimensionality

It has been suggested that time management is a multidimensional construct (e.g., Macan, Shahani, Dipboye, & Phillips, 1990) and psychological research literature has identified some possible factor structures for time management.

In a study of time management skills and learning amongst Spanish students, Garcia-Ros, Pérez-González, and Hinojosa (2004) identified three factors:

1. Short-range planning
2. Long-range planning
3. Time attitudes

One of the more widely accepted models identifies four underlying factors (Macan et al., 1990):

1. Setting goals and priorities
2. Mechanics of scheduling and planning
3. Preference for disorganisation
4. Perceived control of time

There is a measurement instrument based on this structure, known as the Time Management Behaviour Scale for which there is some validity evidence (TMBS, Macan et al., 1990). In a meta-analysis by Claessens et al. (2007), it was pointed out that - compared to all models of time management - it was Macan’s (et al. 1990, 1994) models of time management that received the most support in the literature. However, it was also noted that there are some consistency issues and disagreement as to whether perceived control of time should be included (Claessebs et al 2007). Macan went on to argue that the perceived control of time factor is actually an outcome of time management and not a component (Macan, 1994).

A possible factor structure for the 28 time management items in the TUSSTMQ9 is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2. Some possible time management factors

See also

1. Time management
2. Time management questionnaires
3. University student time management#Time management factors

References

1. Claessens, B. J. C., van Erde, W., Rutte, C. G. & Roe, R. A. (2005). A review of the time management literature. Personnel Review, 36, 255-276.
2. García-Ros, R., Pérez-González, F., & Hinojosa (2004). Assessing time management skills as an important aspect of student learning. The construction and evaluation of a time management scale with Spanish high school students. School Psychology International, 25, 167-183.
3. Macan, T. M., Shahani, C., Dipboye, R. L., & Phillips, A. P. (1990). College students' time management: Correlations with academic performance and stress. Journal of Educational Psychology, 82, 760-768.