Climate Change Skepticism Questionnaire (CCS-Q)

Abstract

The Climate Change Skepticism Questionnaire (CCS-Q; de Graaf et al., 2023) is a 12-item instrument designed to gauge beliefs that diverge from the prevailing scientific understanding and communication of climate change. This measure was developed to address limitations identified in existing climate change skepticism (CCS) assessments. The development process adhered to the 3-step construct validation methodology outlined by Flake et al. (2017). An initial pool of 16 items was formulated based on current CCS theories, which delineate four primary dimensions: trend skepticism, attribution skepticism, impact skepticism, and response skepticism (Ding et al., 2011; Poortinga et al., 2011; Rahmstorf, 2004), alongside a comprehensive review of extant CCS measures. Items were derived from prior research, and redundant or overlapping phrasings were consolidated into a concise 12-item measure (Christensen & Knezek, 2015; Feinberg & Willer, 2011; Leiserowitz et al., 2013; Poortinga et al., 2011; Steg et al., 2005). Subsequently, these items were translated into Dutch and simplified to an intermediate language proficiency level. The CCS-Q was administered to Dutch adults who were recruited through online platforms. Confirmatory factor analysis corroborated the hypothesized 4-factor model, and comprehensive reports on the measure’s reliability and validity were provided. The CCS-Q aims to assess four distinct facets of climate change skepticism: response skepticism, trend skepticism, attribution skepticism, and impact skepticism.

Keywords

Attribution Skepticism; Climate Change Beliefs; Climate Change Skepticism; Impact Skepticism; Response Skepticism; Skepticism; Climate Change; Environmental Measures; Climate Change Attitudes; Trend Skepticism.

Authors

de Graaf, Janna A.; Stok, F. Marijn; de Wit, John B. F.; Bal, Michèlle

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Purpose

The primary objective of the CCS-Q is to evaluate four distinct dimensions of climate change skepticism: response skepticism, trend skepticism, attribution skepticism, and impact skepticism.

Validity

Convergent Validity: All four dimensions of the CCS-Q demonstrated significant negative correlations with sustainable behavior intentions, motivation towards environmental issues, acceptance of all sustainable policies, and trust in institutions. Conversely, all CCS dimensions showed significant positive correlations with climate science skepticism and dispositional reactance.

Predictive Validity: Simple linear regression analyses revealed that Composite CCS negatively predicted sustainable intentions (F(5, 526) = 37.00, R2 = 0.26, p < .001), acceptance of increasing taxes on fossil fuels (F(5, 505) = 39.48, R2 = 0.28, p < .001), acceptance of utilizing tax money for wind and solar power generation (F(5, 506) = 36.04, R2 = 0.26, p < .001), and acceptance of prohibiting energy-inefficient appliances (F(5, 507) = 17.41, R2 = 0.15, p < .001) even after accounting for covariates.

Reliability

Internal Consistency: The internal consistency for all subscales and the overall composite scale was good, with all Cronbach’s alpha values being equal to or greater than .70.

Test-Retest Reliability: One-week test-retest reliability was assessed and reported. The test-retest reliabilities for all four dimensions of CCS, as well as for the composite scale, were found to be good (all r’s > 0.78).

Factor Analysis

Confirmatory Factor Analysis: The 4-factor model exhibited satisfactory fit indices (CFI = 0.94, NFI = 0.93, SRMR = 0.04). All subscales were significantly positively correlated. A second Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted using a separate sample of Dutch adults to corroborate these findings. This replication also showed satisfactory model fit (CFI = 0.92, NFI = 0.90, SRMR = 0.05).

Instrument: Climate Change Skepticism Questionnaire (CCS-Q)

Test Type: Original Inventory/Questionnaire

Format: Items are rated on Likert scales ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). A higher score on an item or scale indicates a greater degree of climate change skepticism. The administration method is electronic.

Language Available: The instrument is available in Dutch and English.

Population Group: The measure is designed for human participants, including males and females, and individuals who identify as “Other than Man Or Woman.”

Age Group: The CCS-Q is applicable to adulthood (18 years and older), encompassing young adulthood (18-29 years), thirties (30-39 years), middle age (40-64 years), and aged (65 years and older).

Population Details: The respondents for the validation study were Dutch adults recruited online, specifically located in the Netherlands.

Test Methodology: The methodology employed includes Test Validity, Convergent Validity, Predictive Validity, Test Reliability, Internal Consistency, Test-Retest Reliability, Factor Analysis, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Keywords

Attribution Skepticism; Climate Change Beliefs; Climate Change Skepticism; Impact Skepticism; Response Skepticism; Trend Skepticism.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier:
de Graaf, Janna A.: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6690-9482
Stok, F. Marijn: No data is Available
de Wit, John B. F.: No data is Available
Bal, Michèlle: No data is Available

Affiliation Email addresses:
de Graaf, Janna A.: [email protected]
Stok, F. Marijn: No data is Available
de Wit, John B. F.: No data is Available
Bal, Michèlle: No data is Available

Correspondence Address:
de Graaf, Janna A.: Heidelberglaan 1, Utrecht, Netherlands, 3584 CS, [email protected]

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: The CCS-Q may be used for research and teaching purposes. The license type is Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
Commercial Use: No
Fee: No
Test Year: 2023
Web Site: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References

de Graaf, J. A., Stok, F. M., de Wit, J. B. F., & Bal, M. (2023). The climate change skepticism questionnaire: Validation of a measure to assess doubts regarding climate change. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 89, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102068

Items of the Climate Change Skepticism Questionnaire (CCS-Q)

The CCS-Q consists of 12 items, which are divided into four subscales:

• Trend Skepticism

• Attribution Skepticism

• Impact Skepticism

• Response Skepticism

The specific items are available in Appendix A, Page 10 of the source reference (de Graaf et al., 2023).

Climate Change Skepticism Questionnaire (CCS-Q)

Answers are given on a 7-point Likert-type scale (1 = totally disagree, 7 = totally agree). Please indicate to what extent you agree with the following statements:

1. I am hesitant to believe climate change scientists tell the whole story.

2. The climate change we are observing is just a natural process.

3. I think climate change is a serious problem. (reverse scored)

4. There is not much we can do that will help solve environmental problems.

5. I believe that most of the concerns about environmental problems have been exaggerated.

6. Mankind is largely responsible for global warming. (reverse scored)

7. I believe that most claims about climate change are true. (reverse scored)

8. It is a waste of work to solve environmental problems.

9. I am uncertain that human activities cause global warming.

10. Human behavior has little effect on stopping global warming.

11. I am uncertain that global warming is actually occurring.

12. I am concerned about the consequences of climate change. (reverse scored)