In research, measurement is the series of actions or methods researchers use to observe and record the information collected as part of a study. Therefore, in order to understand measurement the researcher much understand the basic ideas entailed in measuring, such as the stages of measurement that help the researcher decide how to make sense of data from particular variables in a study as well as the reliability of the measurement. An understanding of the different types of measurement is important in any research endeavor (Research methods knowledge base, 2006).
One of the categories of measurement that researchers find difficult to understand is called scaling. Trochim and Donnelly (2008) define scaling as “the branch of measurement that involves the construction of a measure based on associating qualitative judgments about a construct with quantitative metric units” ( p. 129). Similar to an index, which applies a measurable score formulated by applying a set of standards to connect variables in order to reflect an acceptable research design, a scale is constructed to render...
Both approaches suffer from potential bias; Adorno el al’s. F-scale may have had confirmatory bias, potentially causing a problem in which the interviewers know the results from the participant’s prior questionnaires, and subconsciously steer the results and findings towards a particular goal, causing a self-fulfilling prophecy. Although Altemeyer’s approach may not have involved interviews, the results could have still been biased, as acquiescence response bias could have occurred if the participants have a tendency to agree with statements presented in scales and succumb to social desirability
They want to answer the question of how much money there is to be made based off a sample size. In order to do that they should scale up this prediction to a real life scale in order to achieve their goal.
There are two basic psychometric properties, validity and reliability that have been used to evaluate the quality of scale development. Psychometric testing used to evaluate the quality of instrument (Polit& Beck, 2010).
There are other problems associated with graphic rating scales besides the traditional problems of halo and leniency. Graphic rating scales have also been cited of having problems associated with validity, poor inter-rater agreement and personal biases of a rater (Kane and Bernardin, 2002). Though important, these other problems associated with graphic rating scales are not as prevalent in the research literature and have not traditionally been attributed the same level of importance and influence as halo and leniency.
Qualitative and quantitative methods allow researchers to investigate, explore and inquire the nature of the phenomenon being studied. It is important that the researcher develops a clear understanding of the problem and design a plan to investigate it (Cresswell, 1998, para. 1). There are a variety of research methods; nevertheless, it is important to consider which research method is appropriate for the study. Qualitative research focuses on human experiences while quantitative research relies on numbers, measurements, and testing. Nevertheless, qualitative and quantitative methods use similar approaches to conduct research and collect data. For example, observations and interviews are approaches used in both research designs; however, the approaches are used and viewed otherwise. This will be discussed later in the paper.
In response to the question set, I will go into detail of the study, consisting of the background, main hypotheses, as well the aims, procedure and results gathered from the study; explaining the four research methods chosen to investigate, furthering into the three methods actually tested.
The scientific findings needs to be used are the following, variable which is a logical set of attributes. The attributes is a characteristic or quality of something. For example, the attributes towards my study, would be the ages of both sex genders from college students and parent 's. Due to the fact, if there 's a chance of inheriting alcohol behavior to consume during the adolescence to young adulthood. "The implication of the level of measurement would be analyses require a minimum level of measurements and some variables can be treated as multiple level of
The sampling procedures that can be utilized in evaluation research is vast. The selected sampling procedure is important in the consideration of external validity. External validity generalizes the findings to individuals in the study sample with characteristics that are alike (DiClemente et al., 2013). Although, not all research studies will require a sampling procedure that would deliver an external validity.
The development of knowledge requires a number of processes in order to establish credible data to ensure the validity and appropriateness of how it can be used in the future. For the healthcare industry, this has provided the ability to create and form new types of interventions in order to give adequate care across a of number of fields within the system. Research then, has been an essential part in providing definitive data, either by disproving previous beliefs or confirming newly found data and methods. Moreover, research in itself contains its own process with a methodological approach. Of the notable methods, quantitative research is often used for its systemic approach (Polit & Beck, 2006). Thus, the use of the scientific method is used, which also utilizes the use of numerical data (Polit & Beck). Here, researches make use of creating surveys, scales, or placing a numerical value on it subjects (Polit & Beck). In the end the resulting data is neutral and statistical. However, like all things its approach is not perfect, yet, it has the ability to yield valuable data.
To the dismay of some and a necessity for others, scales can be found about everywhere in today’s society. It never fails; if you go to the doctor you will step on the scale. They are at the grocery store, in most bathrooms and even in some of our favorite stores. Were we might even pay a quarter to have a machine tell us our weight, out loud. We as a society are obsessed with our weight. You’re asked for your weight when renewing your driver’s license. Every time you get in an elevator and see the little sign saying do not exceed *** lbs, the quarter-pounder with cheese and milkshake you ate for lunch, is brought back to your memory. A scale receives more mental and physical abuse than any other appliance that has ever been invented. All this abuse stems from a lesson each of use were taught at a young age, which is that we should always tell the truth. Well let’s look a little deeper into the scale and see the physics involved in how two different types’ of scales weigh objects.
Quantitative research uses a deductive reasoning also known as top to bottom or (top down approach) starting with a theory, then the hypothesis, followed by observation and finally confirmation , going from the general to the more specific. Quantitative methods use numbers and statistics to show the results of the research exercise and mainly are concerned with mathematics and statistics. In quantitative research there are levels of measurement being firstly nominal which are names of things followed by ordinal sequence of things, interval where the sequence has equal distance between each item, and ratio where there is a true zero (Alston & Bowles, 2003, p. 7-9).
Traditional research may use quantitative or qualitative research method. According to Hendricks (2009), quantitative research is a general conclusion based on hard data. Hen-dricks describe quantitativ...
Data collection is a process by which you receive useful information. It is an important aspect of any type of research, as inaccurate data can alter the results of a study and lead to false hypothesis and interpretations. The approach the researcher utilizes to collect data depends on the nature of the study, the study design, and the availability of time, money and personnel. In addition, it is important for the researcher to determine whether the study is intended to produce qualitative or quantitative information.
Quantitative research involves the collection and converting of data into numerical form to enable statistical calculations be made and conclusions drawn. It provides a measure of how people think, feel or behave and uses the statistical analysis to determine the results. However, this measurement results in numbers, or data, being collected, which is then analyzed by using quantitative research methods (Byrne, 2007).
The nature of research instruments, the sampling plan and the type of data the research design constitutes the blueprint for the collection, the measurement and analysis of data. It aids the researcher in the allocation of his limited resources by posing crucial choices.