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Measurement of Constructs (Conceptualization (Conceptualization is the…
Measurement of Constructs
Conceptualization
Conceptualization is the mental process by which fuzzy and imprecise constructs and their constituent components are defined in concrete and precise terms.
The conceptualization process is all the more important because of the imprecision,vagueness, and ambiguity of many social science constructs.
Unidimensional constructs are those that are expected
to have a single underlying dimension.
Multidimensional constructs consist of two or more underlying dimensions.
Each of the underlying dimensions in this case must be measured separately, say, using different tests for mathematical and verbal ability, and the two scores can be combined, possibly in a weighted manner, to create an overall value for the academic aptitude construct.
Operationalization
Operationalization refers to the process of developing indicators or items for measuring these constructs.
Variable-The combination of indicators at the empirical level
representing a given construct
Each attribute represent a value.
Quantitative data can be analyzed using quantitative data analysis techniques, such as regression or structural equation modeling, while qualitative data require qualitative data analysis techniques, such as coding.
A reflective indicator is a measure that
“reflects” an underlying construct.
Formative indicator is a measure that “forms” or contributes to an
underlying construct.
Levels of Measurement
Levels of measurement, also called rating scales, refer to the values that an indicator can take
Nominal scales, also called categorical scales, measure categorical data.
Nominal scales merely offer names or labels for different attribute values. The appropriate measure of central tendency of a nominal scale is mode, and neither the mean nor the median can be defined.
Ordinal scales are those that measure rank-ordered data, such as the ranking of students in a class as first, second, third, and so forth, based on their grade point average or test scores.
Interval scales are those where the values measured are not only rank-ordered, but are also equidistant from adjacent attributes.
Ratio scales are those that have all the qualities of nominal, ordinal, and interval scales, and in addition, also have a “true zero” point.
Based on the four generic types of scales discussed above, we can create specific rating
scales for social science research.
Binary scales are nominal scales consisting of binary items that assume one of two possible values, such as yes or no, true or false, and so on.
1 more item...
Scaling
The outcome of a scaling process is a scale, which is an empirical structure for measuring items or indicators of a given construct.
Scales can be unidimensional or multidimensional, based on whether the underlying construct is unidimensional or multidimensional.
Thurstone's equal- appering scling method-This method starts with a clear conceptual definition of the construct of interest. Based on this definition, potential scale items are generated to measure this construct.
As with Thurstone’s method, the Likert method also starts with a clear definition of the construct of interest, and using a set of experts to generate about 80 to 100 potential scale items.
Guttman's cumulative scaling method- is that people who agree with one item on this list also agree with all
previous items.
Indexes
Index is a composite score derived from aggregating measures of multiple constructs using a set of rules and formulas.
Consumer price index , is a well-known example of an index. It is computed every month by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.
The process of creating an index is similar to that of a scale. First, conceptualize (define) the index and its constituent components.
Though indexes and scales yield a single numerical score or value representing a construct of interest, they are different in many ways.
Typologies
A typology is summarize measures of two or more constructs to create a set of categories or types.
Typologies are multidimensional but include only nominal variables.