measurement neuman and robson ch. 6. what is it? the process of creating measurable concrete...
Post on 28-Dec-2015
217 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Measurement
Neuman and Robson
Ch. 6
What is it?
The process of creating measurable concrete variables from abstract concepts
Extends the senses (empirical)
Tends to be more of a concern for quantitative researchers
Quantitative vs. QualitativeMeasurement Differences
Timing
Type of data collected
Linkage of concepts to data (pre-planned vs. reflective/interactive)
The Measurement Process
Quantitative = deductive
Qualitative = inductive
Both involve conceptualization and operationalization
Steps
identify concept of interest
develop conceptual definition decide on units of analysis
operationalize to create a variable links concept to measurement technique
Process of Quantitative Operationalization:
Process of Qualitative Operationalization:
Empirical Observations
Working Ideas
Concepts
Generalizations/Theories
Reliability and Validity
Reliability = the consistency or dependency of a measure Does the measure consistently give the same
results?
Validity = truthfulness of a measure Is it measuring what the researcher thinks it is
measuring?
Types of Reliability
inter-observer
inter-item
test-retest
parallel forms
Improving Reliability
Clear conceptualization
Use of most precise (or highest) level of measurement possible
Use of multiple indicators
Use of pretests, pilot studies, replication
Validity
face validity
content validity
criterion validity Predictive validity Concurrent validity
Relationship Between Reliability and Validity
Internal and External Validity
Internal Validity Can alternative explanations for change in the
dependent variable be eliminated?
External Validity Generalizability
Statistical Validity Was the correct test used?
Quantitative Variable Construction:
a) Continuous vs. Discrete categories
b) Levels of measurement: nominal ordinal interval/ratio
Scale or Index Construction Composite Measures
Index vs. Scales
Mutually exclusive and exhaustive attributes
Unidimensionality
Reproducibility
Common Scales and Indexes
Likert Scale
Bogardus Social Distance Scale
Semantic Differential
Guttman Scale
Click Here for more detail on measurement.
top related