Measurement: Scaling, Reliability and Validity Scales

It is a tool or mechanism by which individuals are distinguished as to how they differ from one another on the variables of interest to our study. There are basically 4 types of scales. Nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio scale. The degree of sophistication to which scales are fine-tuned increases progressively as we move from the nominal to the ratio scale. 1. Nominal Scale: It is the one that allows the researcher to assign subjects to certain categories or groups. E.g. gender variable, respondents can be grouped into 2 categories male or female. The nominal scale categorize individuals or objects into mutually exclusive groups. This scale tells us the percentage of the each category. 2. Ordinal Scale: This scale not only categorizes the variables in the way of denoting difference among the variables but also rank them according to some preferences. The preferences could be ranked from best to worst or first to last and numbered 1,2 and so on. 3. Interval Scale: An interval scale allows us to perform some arithmetical operations on the data collected from the respondents. This scale not only categorizes the individuals into groups and taps the order of the groups but also measures the magnitude of the differences in the preferences among the individuals. The intervals between categories are equal, but they originate from some arbitrary origin. That is, there is no meaningful zero point on an interval scale.For example, the commonly used measures of temperature are interval level scales. We
know that a temperature of 75 degrees is one degree warmer than a temperature of 74 degrees, just as a temperature of 42 degrees is one degree warmer than a temperature of 41 degrees.

4. Ratio Scale: The ratio scale of measurement is the same as the interval scale, with the addition of a meaningful zero point. It has an absolute zero point, which is a meaningful measure point. Thus it not only measure the magnitude of the difference between the points on the scale but also taps the proportions in the differences. It is most powerful of the 4 scales. E.g. Weight, area, speed,age are measured on ratio level scale.Weight, area, speed, and
velocity are measured on a ratio level scale. In public policy and administration, budgets and the number of program participants are measured on ratio scales.

Scales

Difference Order Distance Unique Origin Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No No Yes

Measures of Central Tendency Mode Median A.M A.M or G.M

Measures of Dispersion Semi-interquartile Range S.D , Var, Coefficient of Var S.D , Var, Coefficient of Var

Some Tests of Significance X2 Rank Order Correlation T- test, F- test T- test, F- test

Nominal Ordinal Interval Ratio

Scaling:
It is the method of assigning numbers or symbols to determine attitudinal responses of subjects toward objects, events, or persons. RATING SCALES: Scale with several responses categories that evaluate an object on scale. RANKING SCALES: Scale used to tap preferences between two or among more objects or items.

Rating Scalesincludes:
Dichotomous scale Category scale Semantic Differential scales Likert scale Numerical scales Itemizing rating scale Fix or constant sum rating scale Staple scale Graphic rating scale Consensus scale 1) Dichotomous scale: Scale used to elicit a Yes/No response, or an answer to two different aspects of a concept. It is like a nominal scale. Which is used to elicit the response. 2) Category scale: A scale that uses multiple items to seek a single response, also an example of nominal scale. 3) Semantic Differential scales:Several bipolars are identified at the extremes of the scale, and the respondents are asked to indicate their attitudes. The bipolars adjectives used might employ terms such as Good-Bad; Strong-Weak; Hot Cold etc. This is treated as interval scale. 4) Numerical scales:This scale is similar to the semantic differential scale, with the difference that numbers on a five point or seven point scale are provided with popular bipolar adjectives at both ends. 5) Itemized Rating scale: A 5-point or 7-point scale with anchors, as needed, is provided for each item and the respondent states the appropriate number on the side of each item. The responses of the items are then summed. 6) Likert scale: An interval scale that specifically uses the five anchors of Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neither Agree nor disagree, Agree, Strongly agree. 7) Fix or Constant Sum Rating scales: A scale where the respondents distribute a fixed number of points across several items. E.g. what would you prefer in purchasing a soap? 8) Staple scales: A scale that measures both the direction and intensity of the attributes of a concept toward the item under study.

9) Graphic Rating scales: A scale that graphically illustrates the responses that can be provided, rather than specifying any discrete response categories. 10) Consensus scales: A scale developed through consensus or the unanimous agreement of a panel of judges as to the items that that measure a concept.

Ranking Scales includes:

1. Paired comparison scales: A scale in which the respondents choose between two objects at a time, with the process repeated with a smaller number of objects. 2. Forced choice scales: Elicits the ranking of objects relative to one another. 3. Comparative Scales: A scale that provides a benchmark or point of reference to assess attitudes, opinions, and the like.

Goodness of measures:
It attests to the reliability and validity of measures: 1. Reliability: Attests to the consistency and stability of the measuring instrument. 2. Validity: Evidence that the instrument, technique or process used to measure a concept does indeed measure the intended concept.